Page 135 - (DK) Super Shark Encyclopedia: And Other Creatures of the Deep

CAVE CRUISER

WHITETIP

REEF SHARK

There are plenty of places to hide on a rocky coral reef,
but some hungry sharks will do their best to search all
the crevices. The whitetip reef shark has especially tough
skin and a slender body for reaching deep between rocks.
Ridges over its eyes, giving it a permanently angry look,
provide extra protection. This fish prowls around at night,
exploring caves in search of prey, specializing in hunting
animals that live on the bottom.

AT A GLANCE

• SIZE 5¼–6½ ft (1.6–2 m) • LOCATION Widespread in the
• HABITAT Clear coastal waters tropics and subtropics
around coral reefs, often resting • DIET Bottom-living animals,
in caves including fish, octopuses, crabs,
and lobsters

STATS AND FACTS

CRUISING DEPTH
26–130 ft/8–40 m (usual) The whitetip reef shark
ft 300 600 900 1,200
has a very small home
range and rarely travels
m 100 200 300 400
far from its favorite
1,080 ft/330 m
(max. depth recorded) hunting spots. It sleeps
during the day in
TIME SPENT SWIMMING
underwater caves.
1–3 hrs (during the day)
5–8 hrs (at night)

DISTANCE TRAVELED FROM HOME
miles ½ 1 1½ 2

km 1 2 3 4
0.25–1.8 miles (0.3–3 km) in 1 year

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