http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Rhinecanthus_aculeatus.html . Title: Saltwater
Species #: 7
Common Name: whitetip reef shark Scientific Name: Triaenodon obesus Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichtyes
Order: Carcharhinformes
Family: Carcharhinidae
Geography/Habitat: The whitetip reef shark is found in both the Indian and Pacific oceans. The whitetip is found in reefs and it is a nocturnal animal so it spends most of its time in caves, in the day, and at night it roams around the reef. It is commonly found at depths of 8 and 40 meters. Life Strategy: The whitetips have been known to travel in schools of nearly hundred to find a female ready to mate. When mating the male bits the pectoral fin of the female and this is done so they can stay in a vertical position. The female can give birth to 2 to 3 live sharks that are about 60 cm each. Food/Feed Strategy: The whitetips feed very aggressive because they are in caves all day long. They feed mainly on the bottom and they stick their head into cracks in the reef and wait for a fish. They mainly eat boney fish, but their mouth if very good for picking up crab, lobster, and octopi off the bottom.
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Body Form or Style: Fusiform Swim/Locomotion Style: Thunniform Mouth Position: Terminal