Oceanic White Tip
Creature Feature of the Week
The Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Oceanis Longimanus, is one of the most long ranging sharks species, they live in every body of tropical water and has been present since the Jurassic!
They usually reside in the Sunlight zone at 200 meters, thats nearly 700 feet!
Because they are pelagic species, they have large pectoral fins to help them glide in the water, these fins are usually half of their length, so about five feet in width.
The mating habits of the species are still unknown but scientists best guess is that female sexual maturity is about six to nine years and have a gestation period of around ten months to a year.
Depending on the age, size, region or location of the Oceanic Whitetip, shark litters can be birthed annually or biennial, these litters can range from 1-14 pups. As a pup, some of their fins can be black or a grayer color and as they age, they get the vibrant white tips on each of their fins, hence their name.
They feed on large game fish such as tuna or marlin, they also will eat squid and seabirds if they have the chance. Unfortunately another common item on their diet is garbage, such as plastic bags or bottles.
On top of the the plastic pollution, longline fishing and illegal catch of these sharks for
“shark fin soup.” These threats have reduced the Oceanic Whitetip’s population by an estimated 80%.
Fun fact: Oceanic Whitetip sharks are also seen with Galapagos and Dusky sharks!
To help these sharks, donate to shark organizations and sign petitions to end the killing of these animals.
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