Sealife guideThe oceanic whitetip sharkCarcharhinus longimanus

Taxonomy

Common name: Oceanic whitetip shark
French name: Requin pointe blanche océanique, requin longimanus, requin pointe blanche du large, requin océanique à aileron blanc, aileron du large, requin longimane
Scientific name: Carcharhinus longimanus (Poey, 1861)
Family name: Carcharhinidae
Order name: Carcharhiniformes
Class name: Elasmobranchii

Description

The oceanic whitetip shark, also known simply as longimanus, named after its scientific designation, is a pelagic shark averaging about 9 feet in length. Its maximum size can reach 13 feet and it can weigh up to 370 pounds.

The oceanic whitetip shark surrounded by its loyal entourage of pilot fish !

The oceanic whitetip is distinguished by its large, rounded first dorsal fin and its prominent pectoral fins with whitish tips.

Its body is robust, elongated and dark gray with a bronze tint while its belly is white.

Range

The oceanic whitetip shark is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters around the globe. In the eastern Pacific ocean, it can be found from southern California to Peru, including the Galapagos islands.

In Egypt, it is commonly seen in the southern Red sea.

Habitat

The oceanic whitetip shark can be found from the surface down to depths of over 650 feet but typically stays within 490 feet. It is a pelagic shark that generally lives alone in open water escorted by pilot fish.

Diet

Its diet consists mainly of pelagic fish like tuna and jacks, but it also preys on rays, mollusks and sea turtles.

The oceanic whitetip shark is a pelagic shark that generally lives alone in the open ocean

The white and rounded fin tips are characteristic of the oceanic whitetip shark !
© <a href="http://www.weilenmann.net" target="_blank">Tom Weilenmann

Reproduction

The oceanic whitetip shark is viviparous. After a one-year gestation, up to 15 pups are born, each about 2 feet long. They reach sexual maturity at about 6 feet for males and 6.5 feet for females.

Did you know ?

Often, the oceanic whitetip shark is accompanied by its loyal entourage of pilot fish.

The oldest recorded oceanic whitetip shark was 22 years old.

The oceanic whitetip shark is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The oceanic whitetip shark appears in the IUCN Red List since 2019 within the category Critically Endangered !

Tips for observing

Active both day and night, the oceanic whitetip shark is bold and curious, often approaching divers with persistence. Keep an eye out, stay calm and be cautious if encountered !

An oceanic whitetip shark escorted by pilot fish © Berndneeser | Dreamstime.com

Within the same genus

Blacktip shark
(Carcharhinus limbatus)

Bull shark
(Carcharhinus leucas)

Copper shark
(Carcharhinus brachyurus)

Caribbean reef shark
(Carcharhinus perezi)

Blacknose shark
(Carcharhinus acronotus)

Blacktip reef shark
(Carcharhinus melanopterus)

Dusky shark
(Carcharhinus obscurus)

Silky Shark
(Carcharhinus falciformis)

Within the same family

Blue shark
(Prionace glauca)

Lemon shark
(Negaprion brevirostris)

Whitetip reef shark
(Triaenodon obesus)

Tiger shark
(Galeocerdo cuvier)

Explore also

Longfin mako
(Isurus paucus)

Pacific angelshark
(Squatina californica)

Crested hornshark
(Heterodontus galeatus)

Greenland shark
(Somniosus microcephalus)

Leopard shark
(Triakis semifasciata)

Nurse shark
(Ginglymostoma cirratum)

Spotted wobbegong
(Orectolobus maculatus)

Sand tiger shark
(Carcharias taurus)

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