Black Gall/Tip/Grilled Shark: An Aggressive Species That Can Attack Humans

The Black-Galled Shark is considered a calm species, but it can become aggressive when provoked by other animals or by humans.

Black Gall/Tip/Grilled Shark: An Aggressive Species That Can Attack Humans

In this way, the animal would also be relevant for commercial fishing because it is sold fresh for human consumption.

From its liver, it is possible to extract a type of oil and the skin is used to produce leather.

Therefore, today we will talk more about the species, its characteristics, curiosities and distribution.

Classification:

• Scientific name – Carcharhinus limbatus;
• Family – Carcharhinidae.

Species of Black-Galled Shark

First of all, it is interesting to mention that there are two species that go by the common name Blacktip Shark.

The first has the scientific name Carcharhinus limbatus and has a robust body.

Individuals have a narrow, pointed and long snout, as well as long gill slits and erect upper teeth.

The teeth also have narrow tips and the first dorsal fin is high.

Regarding color, the shark has a dark bronze, grayish blue or dark gray back and its belly would have a light tone close to yellow or white.

Another important feature would be the dark band that extends on each side and reaches the origin of the pelvic fin.

The pelvic fins have a black spot and the tips of the dorsal, pectoral, anal, and lower lobe of the caudal fin are black when individuals are young.

After development, the black color fades.

Secondly, it is worth mentioning the Black-Galled Shark, a Caribbean reef shark or coral shark whose scientific name is Carcharhinus perezi .

A curious point is that the animal not only inhabits the Caribbean, but also the coasts of North America, such as the United States, in Florida.

It is also a species that can be seen in Mexico and in some regions of South America such as our country.

Specifically considering Brazil, the animal is in Fernando de Noronha and has a standard size of 150 to 170 cm.

Its color in the dorsal region varies between lemon and gray.

Characteristics of the Black-Galled Shark

The two species of Black-Galled Shark can reach 3 m in total length and weigh more than 123 kg, when considering the largest specimens.

They may also have the common name “Serra Grouper” because the tips of their fins are black.

Thus, fish have the habit of forming schools and swimming quickly close to the surface of the water.

In this sense, individuals can jump out of the water, as the Spinner Shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) does.

Fish use jumping as a hunting strategy, in which they launch themselves vertically below a shoal and capture victims on the surface.

Reproduction of the Black-Galled Shark

According to research carried out on a Captive Black-Galled Shark, it was possible to note that females generate about 10 offspring.

Gestation lasts from 10 to 12 months and the breeding season is from November to March.

The young are born with a maximum of 52 cm in length and the individuals reach sexual maturity at 8 years old, when they are males.

Females are mature when they are 9 years old.

Another very important feature about the species that was observed in captivity was the following:

One female presented parthenogenesis.

This means that they have the ability to perform asexual reproduction, in which embryos develop from an egg without fertilization taking place.

Cases with these are rare, but have been observed in captivity.

Food

The diet of the Black-Galled Shark is based on pelagic and benthic fish.

Individuals can also eat small rays and sharks, as well as crustaceans, molluscs, and cephalopods.

Curiosities

This species can be observed in captivity because it would be very resistant.

Thus, through Black-Galled Shark it was possible to check the different sizes and shapes of sharks.

And as another curiosity, it is important to talk about the threats of this species.

Coastal fisheries are the main threats, as the animal would be captured for the sale of meat.

Fins are also used in soups in Asian countries, which causes shark populations to be decimated all over the world.

In this sense, the protection not only of this species, but of all sharks, is essential.

Where to find the Black-Galled Shark

Species of Black-Galled Shark are found in the western Atlantic Ocean, Central America, South America and eastern North America.

Individuals prefer to inhabit subtropical and tropical waters, as well as staying on the coast.

When we consider our country, the animal inhabits the entire coast and is hardly seen at depths below 30 m.

Other areas that are natural habitats for the species would be mangroves, muddy bays, brackish water lagoons, coral reef slopes and estuarine regions.

Juveniles lie along beaches at a depth of 1 to 35 m, but can be seen at a depth of up to 70 m.

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