Blacktip reef shark

FRENCh name: Requin à pointes noires

English name: Blacktip reef shark

LATINE name: Carcharhinus melanopterus

Geographic distribution: the blacktip reef shark can be found off Australia, Mauritius, in the Indo Pacific region, off Japan, Madagascar, the Maldives, in the Mediterranean, in the Red Sea, in the Indian Ocean, and in the Central and Western Pacific. 

Habitat: it inhabits coastal areas, especially coral reefs. Its territorial range can extend out to a depth of 100 m. However, this species of shark is to be found mostly in shallow waters, and sometimes in waters as shallow as just 30 cm.

Diet: it is a carnivore, feeding on mussels, crabs, shrimps/prawns, small fish, all species of coral fish, cuttlefish and jonah crabs. 

Behaviour: the blacktip reef shark is a very efficient swimmer. It generally lives in small groups, near the sea floor or on the surface. 

Reproduction : pregnancy lasts for 16 months, after which females usually give birth to 2 to 5 pups, 4 on average.

Size: the size of an adult female varies between 96 and 112 cm, whereas the size of an adult male varies between 91 and 100 cm.

Threats: the blacktip reef shark can easily be fished near the shore. It is hunted for its liver, its skin and of course its fins. As is the case of all shark species, populations are declining both in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific.Through ignorance and greed, man is not allowing species the time they need to reproduce.