Caribbean Reef Shark is a member of the requiem shark species and is mostly found on the East coast of America and southwards. It is one of the largest apex predators in those areas. They are also known as the Reef Shark.
They are dark grey to grey-brown on the dorsal side and white to light yellow on the ventral side. The undersides of their pectoral, pelvic and anal fins and the ventral caudal lobe are dusky colored. This species is actively fished as a source of meat and liver oil.
Fast Facts: –
- The Caribbean Reef shark feeds on bony fishes and probably large, motile marine invertebrates.
- This shark species uses a lateral canal system in the body to detect water vibration.
- These sharks are not aggressive and not considered dangerous to humans unless provoked.
- They prefer to swim near the bottom of reefs which is why their human interaction is so common.
- They have a very low reproductive rate. They only give birth every two years, and the average litter size is three to six pups.
- Females have a gestation period of 12 month. In the southern hemisphere they give birth between November-December.
- Female sharks often have scars from bites by males during mating.
- The scientific name of the Caribbean Reef Shark is Carcharhinus Perezi.
- Caribbean reef sharks are also commonly caught as by fishermen.
