With their sleek bodies and striking black-tipped fins, blacktip reef sharks are an easily recognized and frequent companion of divers and snorkelers in warm waters worldwide. Due to their stereotypically “sharky” appearance and relatively passive demeanor, blacktip reef sharks are commonly displayed in aquariums. Familiar to us though they may be, these sharks are nonetheless voracious predators. So, how dangerous are they to us?
What Are Blacktip Reef Sharks?
The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus), is a medium-sized shark, rarely growing larger than 1.6m (5,2ft). As its name suggests, this shark is recognizable for its distinctive black-tipped fins, which contrast starkly against the pale brownish-grey of its body. Despite the blacktip’s modest size, it is robustly built, with a short, broad snout and very sharp, pointed teeth.
Blacktip reef sharks are found in near-shore, shallow waters around the Pacific and Indian oceans, as well as the Red Sea. Since their vision plays a big role in their hunting abilities, these sharks prefer clear water, particularly around reefs (hence the name). Being fairly shy, skittish fish, they typically prefer to congregate in groups, for safety and confidence in numbers.
What Do Blacktip Reef Sharks Eat?
Blacktip reef sharks primarily feed on smaller fish, as well as crustaceans and cephalopods (e.g. octopuses). Unlike most other shark species, blacktip reef sharks are social creatures and are known to hunt cooperatively, much like wolves. Small groups of the sharks herd prey fish into a tight ball, before moving in for the kill. This is when these normally shy sharks undergo something of a personality change. Group hunts can often result in so-called “feeding frenzies”, in which the sharks are often seen leaping clean out of the water to catch escaping prey. Not a situation I’d want to be caught in…
Blacktip Reef Shark Attacks On Humans
Since 1580, there have only been 14 confirmed unprovoked blacktip reef sharks on humans, none of which were fatal. The majority of these “attacks” were little more than bites and resulted in only minor injuries. Blacktip reef sharks are known to be curious, if a little cautious, and often approach divers and swimmers to check them out. Because humans are decidedly not on a blacktip reef shark’s menu, they do not view us as even a potential prey item. That said, they have, very occasionally, been known to nip the feet or hands of waders or swimmers, probably because they loosely resemble fish (no offense).
So, How Dangerous Are They?
While they can grow to be roughly the size of a human adult, blacktip reef sharks are considerably less dangerous to us than we are to them. Mostly shy, yet curious, and very excitable around food, these sharks are like poorly socialized aquatic Labradors: large enough to be dangerous, but mostly by accident. Sadly, humans are far less kind to them than we are to our furry companions. Blacktip reef sharks are considered Vulnerable on the IUCN Redlist, and their population is declining. These sharks are routinely hunted for their liver, fins and meat, and for sport, and are also struggling to find food in some areas, due to overfishing. They have a low reproductive rate, which cannot compete with their rate of decline. To make matters worse, there are relatively few conservation actions in place to protect the species. If something is not done soon, we may be on track to losing these charming and beautiful (albeit a little socially awkward) residents of our oceans.
