Sealife guideThe silky sharkCarcharhinus falciformis

Taxonomy

Common name: Silky shark
French name: Requin soyeux
Spanish name: Tiburón piloto,tiburón lustroso,jaquetón sedoso
Scientific name: Carcharhinus falciformis (Müller & Henle, 1839)
Family name: Carcharhinidae
Order name: Carcharhiniformes
Class name: Elasmobranchii

Description

The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) is a pelagic shark species with a very slender body and a pointed snout. Bronze in color with bluish-gray reflections, the silky shark averages about 10 feet in length.

The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) © Alex Chernikh CC BY 2.5 modifié par auxBulles.com

Range

The silky shark is a migratory species widely distributed around the world in the warm tropical waters of seas and oceans. It can be found near the reefs of French Polynesia including the Society islands, the Tuamotu archipelago, the Gambiers, the Marquesas and the Australs.

Habitat

Silky sharks are generally found from the surface down to about 165 feet but they also venture as deep as 1,640 feet. This pelagic shark inhabits open ocean waters but can also be found near coasts with deep waters nearby.

Diet

The silky shark primarily feeds on pelagic fish like tuna, jacks as well as rays and cephalopods.

Reproduction

Silky sharks are viviparous with females giving birth to up to ten baby sharks after a one-year gestation period.

Did you know ?

The silky shark is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The silky shark appears in the IUCN Red List since 2021 within the category Vulnerable !

Tips for observing

Active both day and night, the silky shark is bold and curious, often approaching divers with great interest. So keep your eyes open, stay calm and always prioritize safety !

The silky shark has a very slender body and a pointed snout © Jonathan Green | Dreamstime.com

Within the same genus

Bull shark
(Carcharhinus leucas)

Copper shark
(Carcharhinus brachyurus)

Grey reef shark
(Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)

Blacknose shark
(Carcharhinus acronotus)

Silvertip shark
(Carcharhinus albimarginatus)

Oceanic whitetip shark
(Carcharhinus longimanus)

Blacktip reef shark
(Carcharhinus melanopterus)

Dusky shark
(Carcharhinus obscurus)

Within the same family

Blue shark
(Prionace glauca)

Lemon shark
(Negaprion brevirostris)

Whitetip reef shark
(Triaenodon obesus)

Tiger shark
(Galeocerdo cuvier)

Explore also

Great white shark
(Carcharodon carcharias)

Common angelshark
(Squatina squatina)

Pacific angelshark
(Squatina californica)

Greenland shark
(Somniosus microcephalus)

Scalloped hammerhead
(Sphyrna lewini)

Tasselled wobbegong
(Eucrossorhinus dasypogon)

Sand tiger shark
(Carcharias taurus)

Coral catshark
(Atelomycterus marmoratus)

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