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Blacktip Shark
CarcharhiniformesAttack Relevant

Blacktip Shark

Carcharhinus limbatus

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Max Length

2.8m

Litter Size

4 to 10 pups

Overview

A fast-moving coastal species common in subtropical and tropical shallows worldwide. Known to spin out of the water when chasing baitfish schools. One of the most frequently implicated species in Florida incidents.

Habitat

This is an inshore shark found in shallow coastal waters; it is often encountered in estuaries and river mouths.

Distribution

Tropical & subtropical seas worldwide

Widespread in tropical and subtropical continental seas.

Behavior

This is an active shark and is often seen spinning and leaping above the surface. The shark migrates to deeper water in winter. In contests for food this species gives way to Galapagos sharks, Carcharhinus galapagensis, and Silvertip sharks, Carcharhinus albimarginatus.

Human Safety

Small active sharks may approach divers and circle at a distance, but will rarely approach in unbaited situations. Large sharks are usually indifferent to divers once they descend and rarely approach closer than 50 ft [15m]. Nevertheless, this shark can be belligerent with divers when contesting speared fish; spearfishermen frequently refer to Blacktip sharks as “sea jackals.” When several Blacktip sharks are together they may become hyperactive, particularly in baited situations.

Biology

Diet
The shark feeds on schooling fish, small sharks, rays, squid and cuttlefish.
Reproduction
Viviparous, with a yolk-sac placenta
Birth Size
65cm
Male Maturity
1.8m
Female Maturity
1.83m

Appearance

Blacktip Shark illustration
Dorsal
Dark gray, blue gray or dusky bronze above, white below. Dorsal fins, pectoral fins, and lower lobe of caudal fin have black tips. A pale band extends along its flank from the region of its pectoral fin to its pelvic fin.

Dentition

Upper jaw
Erect symmetrical teeth with finely serrated edges in both jaws. Teeth of the upper jaw are broad with narrow cusps, and teeth of the
Lower jaw
jaw are narrow.
Sources:sharksorg

Recorded incidents involving the blacktip shark

Recorded

97

Fatal

0

Fatality rate

0.0%

Years

1944–2024

Top countries

Years with most incidents

Counts are based on the species field of the Global Shark Attack File. Identifications by witnesses are often uncertain; treat figures as recorded incidents, not authoritative totals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks have been recorded involving the blacktip shark?
97 incidents in the Global Shark Attack File mention the blacktip shark, of which 0 were fatal (0.0%). Note that witness species identifications are often uncertain, so this is the count of recorded incidents.
Where do most blacktip shark incidents occur?
The countries with the most recorded blacktip shark incidents are United States, South Africa, French Polynesia.
Is the blacktip shark dangerous to humans?
The blacktip shark is considered relevant to human-shark incidents and has been recorded in the Global Shark Attack File. As with any large shark, encounters in the wild should be avoided.
Where does this species data come from?
Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed taxonomy and published references. Incident data is sourced from the Global Shark Attack File and joined to species records by name match.
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