Reef shark
As sharks four species from the family of requiem shark called (Carcharhinidae) but no systematic group ( Taxon form):
- Gray reef shark ( Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos )
- Caribbean reef shark ( Carcharhinus perezii )
- Blacktip reef shark ( Carcharhinus melanopterus )
- Whitetip reef shark ( Triaenodon obesus )
The whitetip reef shark is placed in its own genus Triaenodon , while the other three belong to the species-rich genus Carcharhinus . They are summarized whether their analogue habitat: They live in tropical waters and in or near coral reefs.
Reef sharks are generally not dangerous to humans and tend to be shy. However, some species develop territorial behavior and also attack humans if they are provoked, feel threatened or cornered in their territory. The International Shark Attack File assigns each of the four species to some “unprovoked” attacks on humans, one of which so far - by a gray reef shark - has ended fatally.
literature
- PR Last and JD Stevens: Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO Australia, 1994.