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Bronze Whaler Shark
Threat Level: low
The Bronze Whaler is also known
as copper shark or bronzy.
- BRONZE WHALER SHARK
Scientific Name.... Carcharhinus Brachyurus
Family Name...... Carcharhinidae
- General Information: The bronze whaler shark is also known as the copper shark, gets both its name from its brownish red coloring. They have a relatively slender body with a narrow snout that is rounded at the tip. The upper lobe of its tail fin is broad, the first dorsal fin is large, the second is far smaller.
- Size: The maximum length of these sharks are approximately 9.6 feet long. It is one of the largest reef shark species.
- Teeth: Their teeth are pointed with many small serrations, those of the upper jaw have a rounded leading edge.
- Color: The dorsal color of the bronze whaler is a brownish red, sometimes a grayish red coloring which shades to white on the underside. There is a short band of pale pigmentation, like a white stripe that extends down the side of the body almost to the pelvic fins. The bronze whaler has no distinct markings apart from darkened tips on the pectoral fins of some individuals.
- Feeding Habits: The bronze whalers diet consists of a wide variety of fishes. They feed primarily on bony fishes such as, mullet, tuna, mackerel, sea catfishes, goat fishes, anchovies, sardines, hake and sole. They also feed on small elasmobranchs, such as stingrays, spiny dogfish, sawfish and electric rays. Squid and sea snakes are also sometimes taken. The larger bronze whaler feed on other sharks and octopuses.
- Senses:
- Social Behaviour: Not a lot is known about their social behaviour other than they are known to migrate north in the summer and south in the winter.
- Habitat | Migration | Distribution: The bronze whaler is found in most warm temperate and subtropical waters of this world, except along the eastern coastline of North America and the northern Indian Ocean. It is usually seen close inshore along rocky reefs and shallow bays, as well as in the deeper waters of continental shelves and around islands.
- Life Span: Unknown
- Reproduction: Little is known about the biology of the bronze whalers due to confusion with other Carcharhinus species. Females mature when about 8 feet long. They produce between 13 and 20 young in each litter. Pupping appears to occur in shallow coastal waters, including harbours and large inlets, during late spring to early summer.
- Swimming: Undetermined.
- Bronze Whaler Shark Attacks: This species is
considered dangerous when excited by the smell of food, and is
known to attack swimmers and bathers. probably attracted, while
searching for food, by their splashing. The bronze whaler is known
for the severity of the wounds to humans.
- Population Report: Very common.