Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Phylum	Chordata
Class	Chondrichthyes
Order	Carcharhiniformes
Family	Carcharhinidae

Common names :	Oceanic whitetip, white-tip shark.
Diet :	Small to large fish, squids, turtles, sea birds, whale carcasses and any floating rubbish.
Reproduction :	Viviparous : Females give birth to as many as 15 pups after a years gestation.
Size :	Maximum 4 metres Average female 2.5 metres Average male 2.25 metres

Distribution : Worldwide in tropical and sub-tropical waters, usually in deep open oceans. Can be found at any level ranging from the surface to at least 150 metres. Rarely seen close to the shore, but can sometimes be found in the waters off the Southern Californian and Southern Australian coasts where it has followed the warm ocean currents.

Danger to man :	Potentially a very dangerous shark. Although it is a slow swimmer , it can move in quick bursts of speed. Its persistence in investigating it's prey adds to its danger. It is rarely encountered by people swimming from the shoreline and is usually only seen by divers and people on boats. The Oceanic Whitetip is probably responsible for more fatal attacks on airplane and boat disaster victims then it is attributed with.
Economic Importance :	This shark is hated by Tuna fisherman for spoiling their catches, but otherwise has no other importance.
Other Comments :	A relentless pursuer of prey, it will act aggressively to other sharks, often dominating them when competing for the same prey.