whitetip
Oceanic shark variety
Whitetip refers to several shark species distinguished by white markings on their fins.
The oceanic whitetip is a large, aggressive open-ocean shark historically responsible for many human fatalities, particularly around shipwrecks.
The whitetip reef shark is a smaller, docile species common on coral reefs.
We spotted a whitetip resting under a ledge.
Of the open sea
- tropical watersSeas near the equator
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- Indo-PacificCombined ocean region
- CaribbeanTropical Atlantic region
Red Sea · open ocean · warm waters · deep sea · continental shelf · seamount · blue water · lagoon
Shallow-water cartilaginous predator
- cartilaginousComposed of flexible connective tissue
- apex predatorUnpreyed-upon dominant hunter
- silvertipBear with frosted fur
- blacktipShark with dark-tipped fins
hammerhead · requiem · finning · bycatch · slow-moving · open ocean · scavenger · pilot fish
At risk of extinction
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
- shark finningRemoving fins, discarding carcass
- bycatchNon-target species caught accidentally
population decline · threatened · extinction risk · catch limits · trade ban · sustainable fishing
Predatory activity after sunset
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- cruisingMoving at relaxed pace
- opportunisticExploiting circumstances for gain
- feeding frenzyFrantic competitive consumption
scavenging · solitary · curious · persistent · bold · territorial · migration · aggregation
Having irregular color patches
- distinctiveReadily identifiable, set apart
- patternedHaving repeated decorative designs
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- spottedSeen or patterned
pelagic
Of the open sea
- tropical watersSeas near the equator
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- Indo-PacificCombined ocean region
Caribbean · Red Sea · open ocean · warm waters · deep sea · continental shelf · seamount · blue water · lagoon · atoll
reef shark
Shallow-water cartilaginous predator
- cartilaginousComposed of flexible connective tissue
- apex predatorUnpreyed-upon dominant hunter
- silvertipBear with frosted fur
blacktip · hammerhead · requiem · finning · bycatch · slow-moving · open ocean · scavenger · pilot fish · shipwreck
endangered
At risk of extinction
- CITESWildlife trade agreement
- overfishingUnsustainable marine harvest
- shark finningRemoving fins, discarding carcass
bycatch · population decline · threatened · extinction risk · catch limits · trade ban · sustainable fishing
nocturnal hunting
Predatory activity after sunset
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- cruisingMoving at relaxed pace
- opportunisticExploiting circumstances for gain
feeding frenzy · scavenging · solitary · curious · persistent · bold · territorial · migration · aggregation · resting
mottled
Having irregular color patches
- distinctiveReadily identifiable, set apart
- patternedHaving repeated decorative designs
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
spotted · blotched · countershading · camouflage · identification
whitetipgreat white
Large predatory marine fish
great white shark · bull shark · tiger shark · hammerhead · nurse shark