The oceanic whitetip is a stocky, open-ocean shark recognizable by its rounded snout, white-tipped dorsal and pectoral fins, and characteristic cruising posture. Growing to around 4 metres, it inhabits tropical and subtropical waters beyond the continental shelf, typically below 100 metres but sometimes shallower. Once abundant in pelagic zones worldwide, this species has declined severely due to overfishing and is now critically endangered. Its bold, inquisitive behaviour around divers and vessels is legendary—it investigates disturbances with apparent fearlessness.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Elasmobranchii
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Carcharhinus
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.