Grey Reef Shark

The grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae found across the Indo-Pacific, from South Africa to Easter Island. It is commonly encountered in shallow water near coral-reef drop-offs. Individuals usually measure less than 1.88 m (6.2 ft). Distinctive features include a broad, round snout, large eyes, a plain or white-tipped first dorsal fin, dark tips on the other fins, and a broad black rear margin on the tail fin; it lacks a ridge between the dorsal fins. Grey reef sharks are fast, agile predators that feed mainly on free-swimming bony fishes and cephalopods. Many have a home range on a specific reef area and are social rather than strongly territorial: during the day they often form groups of about five to 20 individuals near drop-offs, then disperse in the evening to hunt. Adult females may form groups in very shallow water. Reproduction is viviparous, with litters of one to six pups born every other year. This species performs a characteristic threat display (a hunched posture, dropped pectoral fins, and exaggerated side-to-side swimming) and has been responsible for a number of attacks on humans; it should be treated with caution, particularly if it begins to display. The grey reef shark is caught in many fisheries and is vulnerable to local depletion due to its low reproductive rate and limited dispersal. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed it as endangered.

Assessed by the IUCN as endangered; susceptible to local depletion from fisheries due to low reproductive rate and limited dispersal.

Many individuals maintain a home range on a specific reef area; they are social and often form groups of about five to 20 near reef drop-offs during the day, dispersing in the evening to hunt. Adult females may form groups in very shallow water.