Australian Blacktip Shark - Distribution and Habitat

Distribution and Habitat

Inhabiting the continental shelf, the Australian blacktip shark is found from Thevenard Island in Western Australia to Sydney in New South Wales. Within its range, it co-occurs with the common blacktip shark; the ratio between C. limbatus and C. tilstoni was once thought to be 1:300, but recent genetic studies have found it to be closer to 50:50. This species has been reported from the intertidal zone to a depth of 150 m (490 ft); larger sharks tend to occur in deeper water. Though it occupies the entire water column, it is most common close to the surface or in midwater. Genetic data suggest Australian blacktip sharks across northern Australia are all members of a single population. Tagging studies have found this species mostly moves only short distances along the coastline and rarely enters offshore waters. However, some individuals have been recorded traveling longer distances, up to 1,348 km (838 mi).