Galapagos shark
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| Carcharhinus galapagensis (Snodgrass & Heller, 1905) |
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 Range of galapagos shark
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The Galapagos shark, Carcharhinus galapagensis, is a species of requiem shark. It was first named in 1905 after specimens were found in the seas around the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos shark is dark grey on top with an off-white belly and a black tail edge. Their average length is around 10 feet (3 m). They are benthic feeders, meaning they hunt prey from the sea floor, such as fish and octopuses. Adult Galapagos sharks are also cannibalistic, feeding on their own young if encountered. The Galapagos shark can be found in warm tropical waters at depths ranging from 16 to 200 feet (5 to 60 m).
Its distribution is widespread but patchy with populations occurring at many widely separated island sites and also in some coastal areas in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
Reproduction is viviparous.
It is classed as "Near threatened" because it may be subject to high levels of fishing pressure in many areas of its range.
[edit] References
- Bennett, M.B., Gordon, I. & Kyne, P.M. (2000). Carcharhinus galapagensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 02 Aug 2006.
- "Carcharhinus galapagensis". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 06 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Carcharhinus galapagensis (TSN 160345). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 02 August 2006.
