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Black tip shark Facts

Black tip shark Facts
Black tip shark is named after black tip of the dorsal fin that can be seen when shark swims near the surface of the water. This species of shark can be found in tropical waters of Pacific and Indian oceans and Mediterranean Sea. Black tip shark usually lives near the coral reefs and in the shallow, coastal water. It can be found in estuaries and brackish water occasionally. People hunt black tip sharks because of their meat, fins and skin. Destruction of coral reefs and nursery areas is another factor which decreases number of black tip sharks in the wild. Black tip sharks are listed as near threatened species (they are not endangered yet, but they can become endangered in the near future).
Interesting Black tip shark Facts:
Black tip sharks can reach up to 8 feet in length and 66 to 200 pounds in weight. Males are larger than females.
Black tip sharks have bluish grey or brownish color of the skin. They have white line on the lateral side of the body.
Even though black tip sharks are best known by the black tip of dorsal fin, all fins end with specific, triangular marks.
Black tip sharks have blunt snout and almond shaped eyes.
Black tip sharks often appear in the shallow coastal waters that are only 12 inches deep.
Black tip sharks need to swim constantly to prevent suffocation (water enters the gills only when shark swims). They also need to swim to prevent sinking, because they do not have swimming bladder.
Black tip sharks eat various types of fish (sardines, mackerels, mullets…), large crustaceans, snails, octopuses, stingrays and squids.
Black tip sharks sometimes follow fishing boats to feed on discarded fish and other sea creatures.
Main predators of black tip sharks are large sharks.
Black tip sharks sometimes attack humans. Both provoked and unprovoked attacks have been reported. Luckily, without fatalities.
Black tip sharks often leap out of the water and spin in the air. This behavior may facilitate catching of fish that swim close to the surface of the water.
Mating season depends on the geographical location but most species deliver babies during the winter and spring. Pregnancy lasts 16 months and ends with 2 to 4 pups. Females give birth to live babies.
Females are capable for self-reproduction. This phenomenon is called parthenogenesis and it results in creation of genetic copies of the mother. Parthenogenesis happens only when female cannot find partner for reproduction.
Black tip sharks give birth to babies in nursery areas, close to the coast. Young sharks stay in the coastal waters until they grow big enough (shallow water keeps them safe from the large predators). Black tip sharks reach sexual maturity at age of 4 to 5 years.
Black tip sharks can survive up to 12 years in the wild.


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