Caribbean Reef Shark

Threat Level: low

The Caribbean Reef Shark is also known as
Springers reef shark and Reef shark.

CARIBBEAN REEF SHARK

Scientific Name.... Carcharhinus Perezi
Family Name...... Carcharhinidae

General Information: The Caribbean reef shark has a relatively stout body and the first dorsal fin has a sharp point and a short, trailing tip. The pectoral fins are relatively long and narrow. It has an interdorsal ridge, and a blunt, rounded snout.

Teeth: The well- serrated upper teeth have broad bases and narrow cusps. The lower teeth also have broad bases and small serrations, but are narrow and straight.

Color: They are gray or gray-brown above grading to white underneath. The undersides of paired fins, anal and ventral caudal lobe are a dusky coloured, with no distinctive silvery gray or white undersides.

Feeding Habits: The Caribbean reef sharks diet consists of bony reef fishes, rays, cephalopods and small sharks.

Senses: These sharks have and uses six keen senses; olfactory, visual, tactile ( including vibration sensitivity through a lateralis canal system), auditory, gustatory, and electric reception. The Caribbean reef shark is especially adapted to detecting low frequency sounds( indicative of a struggling fish nearby).

Social Behaviour: This species is commonly observed laying on the bottom in caves and under ledges, often in an apparent torpor as if sleeping. They have been called the sleeping shark, although there is no evidence that it is actually asleep when resting.

Habitat | Migration | Distribution: These sharks range from Western Atlantic and Caribbean, from Florida, USA, and Burmuda to southern Brazil, including parts of the Gulf of Mexico. Large numbers of these sharks is the most common shark on or near coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. It is a tropical inshore, bottom-dwelling species of the continental and insular shelves. Although mainly inhabits shallow waters, it has been recorded to reach depths 100 feet.

Reproduction: Very little is known about the Carribean reef sharks biology. They are known to be viviparous, meaning its developing embryos are nourished via a placental connection. Females bear 4 to 6 pups per litter; these range from 2 to 2 1/2 in length at birth. Pregnant females are often found to have biting scars from males on the sides of their bodies, due to the aggressive behaviours of males during mating. Gestation is believed to take approximately one year.

Swimming: They are fast swimmers, but is known to rest in caves and under ledges during the day.

Caribbean Reef Shark Attacks: While they are not particularly aggressive, they have been responsible for attacks on divers, especially in situations involving bait or spear fishing.