The Black Tip Reef Shark has been known to attack humans but this is believe to be because of the resemblance to their prey.

The Black Tip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is rather plain looking with the exception of a distinctive black spot on the tip of its fins. Much is known about this shark as it survives well in captivity allowing the Black Tip Reef Shark to be studied.

Black Tip Reef Shark Features and Size

The Black Tip Reef Shark has rows of long, thin serrated teeth. Long, thin teeth are designed to pierce the reef fish and prevent them from getting away. The teeth are also slightly angled inwards. These teeth differ from those of a Great White Shark in that they are designed to saw junks of flesh off its prey which usually involves much larger prey than is found along a reef.

Like all sharks, teeth are arranged in rows. When one breaks off, it is quickly replaced with another tooth that is already fully developed. There are usually three rows of fully developed teeth behind the front row.

The Black Tip Reef Shark is streamlined shark that is built for speed. It is muscular and capable of great speeds. The Black Tip Reef Shark has large pectoral fins that angle to a point. The Anterior dorsal fin is tall and triangular in appearance while the posterior dorsal fin is much smaller and located close to the caudal fin.

The anal fin is directly beneath posterior dorsal fin. The pectoral fins are large, located below the gill slits and angled away from the body.

The Black Tip Reef Shark is not the largest shark, but can grow to six feet/1.6 meters.

Man Eater Danger Scale

The Black Tip Reef Shark has been known to attack humans but this is believe to be because of the resemblance to their prey. Flashing metal jewellery, buttons or other devices attack them. Exposed skin can also attract them, but this is more of a concern for caucasians as their skin is the whitest and most likely to attract them. Thrashing around in the water also attacks them. The Black Tip Reef Shark scores 5 on the man eater danger scale.

Black Tip Reef Shark Food Preferences

The Black Tip Reef Shark eats small reef and cephalopods. Cephalopods includes squid, cuttlefish, mantis shrimp, shrimp, mojarras, wrasses, surgeonfish, mullet, octopus, groupers, jacks, smelt-whitings and grunters.

Black Tip Reef Shark Distribution

The Black Tip Reef Shark is found mostly in the western Pacific Ocean from China down to Australia and out to the middle of the ocean. It can also be found off the coast of India, Africa and central america. It is found in and around reefs in these areas.

Man Eater Danger Scale

The Black Tip Reef Shark has been known to attack humans but this is believe to be because of the resemblance to their prey. Flashing metal jewellery, buttons or other devices attack them. Exposed skin can also attract them, but this is more of a concern for caucasians as their skin is the whitest and most likely to attract them. Thrashing around in the water also attacks them. The Black Tip Reef Shark scores 5 on the man eater danger scale.

Black Tip Reef Shark Food Preferences

The Black Tip Reef Shark eats small reef and cephalopods. Cephalopods includes squid, cuttlefish, mantis shrimp, shrimp, mojarras, wrasses, surgeonfish, mullet, octopus, groupers, jacks, smelt-whitings and grunters.

Black Tip Reef Shark Distribution

The Black Tip Reef Shark is found mostly in the western Pacific Ocean from China down to Australia and out to the middle of the ocean. It can also be found off the coast of India, Africa and central America. It’s found in and around reefs in these areas.