Silvertip shark

Taxobox
name = Silvertip shark

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image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Carcharhiniformes
familia = Carcharhinidae
genus = "Carcharhinus"
species = "C. albimarginatus"
binomial = "Carcharhinus albimarginatus"
binomial_authority = (Rüppell, 1837)
range_

---

range_map_width = 250px
range_map_caption = Range of silvertip shark

The silvertip shark, "Carcharhinus albimarginatus", is a fairly large and slender shark found at or close to offshore remote island reefs.

Naming

The silvertip shark is named because of its white marking on all fins.

Distribution and habitat

The silvertip shark is found near reefs at depths to about 800 m, mostly below 30 m, in the Red Sea and along the coasts of East Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, Aldabra Group, Mauritius and the Chagos Archipelago, off southern Japan to northern Australia and French Polynesia, southern Baja California, Mexico to Colombia, including the Cocos Island, Galapagos and Revillagigedo islands. They tend to be fairly localised and do not migrate.

Anatomy and appearance

This is a fairly large but slender shark, dark gray with a white belly. It looks like most gray requiem sharks with the white tips and margins on all fins distinguishing it from its relatives. They grow to a length of 3 m and the maximum published weight is 162.2 kg.

Diet

They feed mainly on benthic and midwater fishes, including rays, small sharks, and occasionally cephalopods.

Behavior

They have been known to harass divers, but reports of attacks are very rare.

Reproduction

The silvertip is viviparous and usually give birth to from 5 to 11 young. The young are born after a gestation period of 12 months at a size of about 50 to 60 cm.

Importance to humans

This shark is seen occasionally by scuba divers and is presumably fished.

ee also

* List of shark articles in Wikipedia

References

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Gallery