Oceanic Whitetip Shark

ID points

• Pectoral fins and first dorsal fin very long with rounded tips
• Large mottled white patches on the tip of each fin
• Cruises slowly at the open-ocean surface and follows ships

Basics

Family

Carcharhinidae

Length

2.0–3.0 m

Depth

0-230 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic · Open ocean

Distribution

Open ocean of tropical and subtropical seas worldwide

Habitat

Open ocean, surface waters

Diet

Fish, cephalopods, seabirds

Easily confused with

Caribbean Reef SharkStout body, first dorsal fin starting over the rear edge of the pectoral finsBlue SharkIndigo blue back and pure white belly with a sharp dividing lineBull SharkStout body with a short blunt snout that looks cut off flat

Fun fact

The oceanic whitetip was the main attacker at the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in the Second World War, and it remains one of the most dangerous sharks of the open ocean.

More in this family

• Blacktip Reef Shark
• Grey Reef Shark
• Lemon Shark
• Silky Shark
• Tiger Shark
• Whitetip Reef Shark