Nervous shark

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Nervous shark
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Carcharhinus
Species: C. cautus
Binomial name
Carcharhinus cautus


The nervous shark, Carcharhinus cautus, is a requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae, found in the western Pacific Ocean between latitudes 5° S and 30° S. Its length is up to about 1.5 m.

The nervous shark is a little-known reef shark found in shallow water on the continental and insular shelves, but may range in deeper water. It feeds on small fishes and crabs.

It is viviparous. It is rather skittish and timid when approached, but is probably harmless or minimally hazardous to people. Its flesh is utilized for human consumption

Coloration is grey or light brown above, white below, the dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins with black margins, expanded apically to black tips on caudal fin lobes and pectoral fins. There is probably a conspicuous white band on flank.

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