Silky Shark

Threat Level: low

SILKY SHARK

Scientific name............Carcharhinus Falciformis

Family name.............Carcharhinidae

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This large, slender shark gets its name from the smooth, silky texture of its skin. They have a fairly long, flat rounded snout, small jaws, large eyes. The second dorsal fin is much smaller the first, and has a trailing tip. The pectoral fins are long and narrow. There is a narrow interdorsal ridge on the back.

SIZE

Silky sharks can reach a maximum length of 10.6 feet. Males mature at 83 to 86 inches and females mature at 78 to 90 inches. Pups measure 27.4 to 34.2 inches at birth.

TEETH

The upper teeth are tall, serrated, and nearly triangular in shape, while the lower teeth have a tall, narrow cusp that is only very weakly serrated.

COLOR

Silky sharks are a dark gray to gray-brown or nearly blackish above, with no distinctive markings, and whitish underneath.

FEEDING HABITS

Its diet includes many small fishes, such as mackerel, tuna, mullet, and sea cats, and also invertebrates such as pelagic crabs and squid.

BEHAVIOUR

They are active, swift, bold, inquisitive and sometimes aggressive shark. It is known to form schools segregated by sex, juveniles group in waters relatively close to shore, while adults gather farther out to sea. This species is known to " hunch" display ( back arched, head raised, caudal fin lowered ) in an apparent threat display.

HABITAT

The Silky shark is widely distributed in nearly all tropical and warm temperate waters of the world. It is occasionally seen in waters close to shore, but is more common in oceanic water, especially near large landmasses. A major pelagic species, it occurs at depths from 60 feet to at least 1,640 feet.

REPRODUCTION

Viviparous, yolk-sac placenta, giving birth 2 to 14 pups per litter, possibly on alternative years.

SHARK ATTACKS

Potentially dangerous, it is not often encountered by divers, and while it is not responsible for many attacks, it should be treated with respect.

POPULATION REPORT

Common. One of the three most common oceanic sharks. Susceptible to overfishing; serious declines reported in some areas. These sharks are commercially fished for their fins, meat and liver. Important for ecotourism in the Red Sea.