Oceanic Whitetip Shark   SHARK
 
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Scientific Name:
Carcharhinus longimanus
Other Names and/or Listed subspecies:
White-tipped Shark, Whitetip Oceanic Shark
Group:
Fishes
Status/Date Listed as Endangered:
VU-IUCN: 2006
Area(s) Where Listed As Endangered:
Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North America (including United States and Hawaii), Oceanic, South America

The Oceanic Whitetip Shark is a large and powerful species of shark, with a distinctive white-tipped dorsal fin and long, wide pectoral fins. It is typically grayish-brown in color on its upper body and white on its underside. It has a streamlined body shape and a pointed snout, with sharp, triangular teeth that it uses to catch prey. This species can grow up to 13 feet in length and weigh over 350 lbs.

The Oceanic Whitetip Shark is typically found in warm, tropical waters. It is a highly migratory species, with individuals traveling long distances in search of food and suitable breeding grounds. The species is viviparous, with females giving birth to litters of one to 15 pups after a gestation period of up to 14 months. The pups are born fully developed and must fend for themselves immediately after birth.

The Oceanic Whitetip Shark is considered a threatened species, primarily due to overfishing and bycatch in commercial fisheries. The species is highly valued for its fins, meat and liver oil, and is often targeted by commercial fishermen. Additionally, the species is also impacted by climate change and habitat loss, as well as pollution and marine debris. Conservation efforts for the species include the establishment of marine protected areas, the regulation of fishing practices, and research into the species' biology and ecology. Additionally, efforts are being made to promote sustainable seafood choices and to raise awareness about the importance of shark conservation.




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Copyright Notice: This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Oceanic whitetip shark".

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