What is the Galapagos shark?
Table of Contents
What is the Galapagos shark?
Galapagos shark, (Carcharhinus galapagensis), also called gray reef whaler, shark species belonging to the family Carcharhinidae. Galapagos sharks are considered to be a circumtropical species with strong preferences for warm, clear waters near reef systems or oceanic islands and generally over continental shelf areas.
Where are Galapagos shark?
Distribution and habitat The Galapagos shark is found mainly off tropical oceanic islands. In the Atlantic Ocean, it occurs around Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde, Ascension Island, Saint Helena and São Tomé Island. In the Indian Ocean, it is known from Walter’s Shoal off southern Madagascar.
Are Galapagos sharks aggressive?
The Galapagos sharks have sadly found themselves on the near-threatened species list due to their slow reproductive rate and overfishing. These sharks are known to have very bold personalities and can be aggressive towards humans at times.
How big is a Galapagos shark?
100 lbsGalapagos shark / Mass (Adult)
Do Galapagos sharks have teeth?
Typically, there are 14 teeth on either side of the symphysis in each jaw with one tooth located at the symphysis (Naylor, 1994). The Galapagos shark reaches a maximum length of 330 cm (11 ft). Male individuals mature at lengths of 2.1-2.4 m (6.9-7.5 ft.)
How long do Galapagos sharks live?
Galapagos Shark Overview Habitat: They favor reefs and shallow waters around tropical islands. Diet: Bottom feeding bony fish and cephalopods, sea lions, and even other sharks. Physical features: Brownish-gray slender bodies, with wide snouts. Lifespan: Estimated to be 20-25 years.
What do Galapagos sharks eat?
Galapagos sharks eat primarily benthic bony fish, but in Galapagos they also predate fur seals and sea lions. They have also been known to be cannibalistic, therefore young shark pups tend to stay in shallow inland waters, away from groups of adults.
How many Galapagos sharks are there?
Almost 30 species of sharks haunt the waters of the Galapagos Islands, with some of the most prominent names being scalloped hammerheads, whale sharks, horn sharks, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, tiger sharks, Port Jackson sharks, and Galapagos sharks.
How many teeth do Galapagos sharks have?
14 teeth
Typically, there are 14 teeth on either side of the symphysis in each jaw with one tooth located at the symphysis (Naylor, 1994). The Galapagos shark reaches a maximum length of 330 cm (11 ft). Male individuals mature at lengths of 2.1-2.4 m (6.9-7.5 ft.) while females mature at 2.2-2.5 m (7.2-8.2 feet) in length.
Can you swim with Galapagos sharks?
Galapagos is famous for big animal diving & its shark diving. Especially it is one of the few places where you can dive with adult whale sharks – up to 15 meters! The Galapagos underwater world boasts a diversity of life like no other on earth!
How much does the Galapagos shark weigh?
Are there great white sharks in Galapagos?
The world’s No. 1 place for sharks has just been identified — off the coast of Darwin Island and Wolf Island in the northern portion of the Galápagos archipelago.
Are Galapagos sharks migratory?
Galapagos sharks migrate from island to island, and often off the coast of other countries. After migrating to faraway locations, they excrete nutrients – AKA Shark Poop – leaving nutrients for other creatures of the ocean.
How dangerous is a Galapagos shark?
There are several conservation efforts and sanctuaries establish to protect the Galapagos shark. Galapagos Shark Recorded Attacks on Humans: The Galapagos shark is potentially dangerous to humans There have been at least 3 records of unprovoked attacks with at least 2 fatalities. This is a popular shark to dive with.
What are the Predators of a Galapagos shark?
Natural history. The Galapagos shark is a ridgeback shark with a prominent ridge on the dorsal surface between the first and second dorsal fins.
Does the Galapagos have great white shark?
Whale sharks are also present in the Galapagos Islands, but it’s not certain there are great white sharks as well. Great white sharks ( Carcharodon carcharias) generally prefer water temperatures between 12-24°C (54-75°F). This is lower than the average temperature of the Galapagos Islands at certain times of the year.
What does Galapagos shark eat?
Where they are found, they are generally present in large numbers. Some studies suggest that they account for up to 90–95 percent of the sharks present in some locations. Galapagos sharks consume crustaceans, mollusks, and fishes, but they have been known to eat or attack marine reptiles, sea lions, seals, and trash.
