What is the whitetip reef shark?
Q: What is the whitetip reef shark?
A: The whitetip reef shark is a species of requiem shark and the only member of its genus.
Q: How does the whitetip reef shark get its name?
A: The whitetip reef shark gets its name because of the white tips on its first dorsal fin and caudal fin.
Q: What are the physical characteristics of the whitetip reef shark?
A: The whitetip reef shark has a slim body, short, wide head, blunt, flattened snout, and oval-shaped eyes. Its body is dark grey to brown in colour, and the underside is white.
Q: Where is the whitetip reef shark widely distributed and where is it commonly found?
A: The whitetip reef shark is widely distributed across the entire Indo-Pacific region and is common along coral reefs, but is also found over sandy flats, in lagoons, and near drop-offs to deeper water.
Q: How does the whitetip reef shark reproduce?
A: The whitetip reef shark is viviparous, giving birth to 1-5 pups after a gestation period lasting up to 12 months.
Q: What is the current status of the whitetip reef shark according to the IUCN?
A: The whitetip reef shark is currently listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
Q: How many pups does the whitetip reef shark give birth to?
A: The whitetip reef shark gives birth to 1-5 pups after a gestation period lasting up to 12 months.
