Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Common names
Oceanic whitetip, white-tip shark.Diet :
Small to large fish, squids, turtles, sea birds, whale
carcasses and any floating rubbish.
Reproduction
Viviparous : Females give birth to as many as 15 pups
after a years gestation.
Size
Maximum 4 metres Average female 2.5 metres
Average male 2.25 metres
Distribution
Worldwide in
tropical and sub-tropical waters,
usually in deep open oceans.
Can be found at any level ranging
from the surface to at least 150
metres. Rarely seen close to the
shore, but can sometimes
be found in the waters off the
Southern Californian and
Southern Australian coasts where
it has followed the warm ocean
currents.
Danger to man
Potentially a very dangerous shark. Although it is a
slow swimmer , it can move in quick bursts of
speed. Its persistence in investigating it's prey
adds to its danger. It is rarely encountered by
people swimming from the shoreline and is usually
only seen by divers and people on boats. The
Oceanic Whitetip is probably responsible for
more fatal attacks on airplane and boat disaster
victims then it is attributed with.
Economic Importance
This shark is hated by Tuna fisherman for spoiling
their catches, but otherwise has no other
importance.
Other Comments
A relentless pursuer of prey, it will act aggressively
to other sharks, often dominating them when
competing for the same prey.
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