ExploreFish

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Carcharhinus longimanus

Oceanic Whitetip Sharks are known for their long, white-tipped fins! They are curious and often swim near boats.

Habitat: Open ocean

Appearance

The Oceanic Whitetip Shark has a robust body with distinctively long, paddle-like pectoral fins and a rounded first dorsal fin. Its body is bronze to brownish-grey, contrasting with a white belly, and many fins display striking mottled white tips.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassElasmobranchiiOrderCarcharhiniformesFamilyCarcharhinidaeGenusCarcharhinus

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Interesting facts

Often the first shark to appear at shipwrecks, drawn by distress.

Their long, paddle-like fins help them glide through open waters.

They hunt day and night, always searching for their next meal.

They were once the most abundant large shark in tropical oceans!

Special abilities

Oceanic Whitetip Shark can sense struggling prey from vast distances because of its acute senses, helping them find food.

Oceanic Whitetip Shark has a large, oily liver that helps them maintain buoyancy effortlessly in the open ocean.

Oceanic Whitetip Shark can cover vast distances because of its efficient body shape, helping them migrate across entire ocean basins.

Measurements & details

Length: 180-250 cm
Weight: 20-170 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Swim Speed: 5 km/h
Max Depth: 230 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

They mainly eat bony fish, squids, and sea birds, using their keen senses to find food.

Age differences: Young sharks eat smaller fish and invertebrates; adults take larger prey.

Primary Foods

Tuna
Mahi-mahi
Squid
Sea turtles
Seabirds
Carrion

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

Pilot fish

Naucrates ductor

These fish swim alongside, eating scraps and parasites.

hunts

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares

Hunts these fast-swimming fish in the open ocean.

hunts

Mahi-mahi

Coryphaena hippurus

Preys on these colorful fish, especially juveniles.

symbiotic with

Common Remora

Echeneis naucrates

Attaches to the shark, hitching rides and eating scraps.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.