Oceanic Whitetip Shark

The oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus, or Carcharhinus maou is a large pelagic shark inhabiting tropical and warm temperate seas. Its stocky body is most notable for its long, white-tipped, rounded fins.

This aggressive but slow-moving fish dominates feeding frenzies, and is a danger to shipwreck or air crash survivors. Recent studies show steeply declining populations because its large fins are highly valued as the chief ingredient of shark fin soup and, as with other shark species, the whitetip faces mounting fishing pressure throughout its range.

Read more about Oceanic Whitetip Shark:  Taxonomy, Distribution and Habitat, Anatomy and Appearance, Diet, Behaviour, Reproduction, Relation To Humans, Conservation Status

Famous quotes containing the word shark:

    I have often told you that I am that little fish who swims about under a shark and, I believe, lives indelicately on its offal. Anyway, that is the way I am. Life moves over me in a vast black shadow and I swallow whatever it drops with relish, having learned in a very hard school that one cannot be both a parasite and enjoy self-nourishment without moving in worlds too fantastic for even my disordered imagination to people with meaning.
    Zelda Fitzgerald (1900–1948)