This is one of the sharks I’ve wanted to learn more about. I first learned of this shark several months ago when I was watching a documentary on the USS Indianapolis. It is thought that the Oceanic Whitetip is responsible for the majority of shark-related deaths in that accident. Tiger sharks have been thought to have been involved as well, but the Oceanic Whitetip is estimated to have killed 60-80 sailors and marines in that one instance.
Statistics
• Males mature at 5½ to 6½ feet
• Females mature at 6 to 6½ feet
• Maximum recorded weight: 370 pounds
• Reach maturity at 6 to 7 years
• Found worldwide in deep water, near 500 feet
The Oceanic Whitetip shark is said to be the most dangerous of all sharks. Opinions vary of course, but the oceanic whitetip is responsible for more fatal attacks on humans than all other species combined, as a result of predation on survivors of shipwrecks or downed aircraft. Such incidents are not included in common shark-attack files, and as a result of this, the oceanic whitetip does not have the highest number of recorded incidents.
Check out this short video of a pair of Oceanic Whitetips swimming near divers off Brothers Islands in the Red Sea. They're beautiful!
Hunting
These sharks are generally slow moving, but are opportunistic feeders. They are capable of fast bursts of speed when hunting. They will eat pretty much anything. They are solitary hunters, but have been known to feed together on large marine mammals, such as dead whale carcasses. They are aggressive, competitive, and fearless. I would conclude that if there is a shark to be feared, it would be this shark. However, you are unlikely to ever encounter this shark unless you have the unfortunate occurance of being involved in a crash landing in the ocean. These sharks, like most sharks, are susceptible to being sensitive on the nose area. Many potential attacks on divers have been averted by fast thinking on the part of the diver, and an action involving hitting or bumping the shark's nose.
Reproduction
Their mating season is early summer. They typically travel to the northwest Atlantic Ocean and the southwest Indian Ocean to breed. Their gestation period is 12 months, and they produce litters of up to 15 pups. Pups are 26-30 inches long at birth.
So, I’m thinking that if I were ever in an airplane crash that landed me in the ocean, supposing I survive the crash in the first place, I am going to be on a keen lookout for these dudes. They’re beautiful. They’re probably very smart. But they also would want to eat me for dinner.
Sources
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/OceanicWT/OceanicWT.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_whitetip_shark
http://www.worldofsharks.net/oceanic_whitetip.htm
http://creationwiki.org/Oceanic_whitetip_shark
Statistics
• Males mature at 5½ to 6½ feet
• Females mature at 6 to 6½ feet
• Maximum recorded weight: 370 pounds
• Reach maturity at 6 to 7 years
• Found worldwide in deep water, near 500 feet
The Oceanic Whitetip shark is said to be the most dangerous of all sharks. Opinions vary of course, but the oceanic whitetip is responsible for more fatal attacks on humans than all other species combined, as a result of predation on survivors of shipwrecks or downed aircraft. Such incidents are not included in common shark-attack files, and as a result of this, the oceanic whitetip does not have the highest number of recorded incidents.
Check out this short video of a pair of Oceanic Whitetips swimming near divers off Brothers Islands in the Red Sea. They're beautiful!
Hunting
These sharks are generally slow moving, but are opportunistic feeders. They are capable of fast bursts of speed when hunting. They will eat pretty much anything. They are solitary hunters, but have been known to feed together on large marine mammals, such as dead whale carcasses. They are aggressive, competitive, and fearless. I would conclude that if there is a shark to be feared, it would be this shark. However, you are unlikely to ever encounter this shark unless you have the unfortunate occurance of being involved in a crash landing in the ocean. These sharks, like most sharks, are susceptible to being sensitive on the nose area. Many potential attacks on divers have been averted by fast thinking on the part of the diver, and an action involving hitting or bumping the shark's nose.
Reproduction
Their mating season is early summer. They typically travel to the northwest Atlantic Ocean and the southwest Indian Ocean to breed. Their gestation period is 12 months, and they produce litters of up to 15 pups. Pups are 26-30 inches long at birth.
So, I’m thinking that if I were ever in an airplane crash that landed me in the ocean, supposing I survive the crash in the first place, I am going to be on a keen lookout for these dudes. They’re beautiful. They’re probably very smart. But they also would want to eat me for dinner.
Sources
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/OceanicWT/OceanicWT.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_whitetip_shark
http://www.worldofsharks.net/oceanic_whitetip.htm
http://creationwiki.org/Oceanic_whitetip_shark
They seem pretty small for being so deadly. I guess having one as a pet wouldn't be a good idea?
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