To see photographs of the Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) click here.
Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
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protected: © 2002 Kelvin Aitken.
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The Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) was first recorded in
the Galapagos archipelago but has since been recorded in many oceanic
islands of the Pacific. Its distribution is restricted in Australia to
Lord Howe Island and surrounding oceanic reefs, being very plentiful at
Middleton and Elizabeth Reefs. At first glance this shark is very similar
to the Grey Reef Shark with comparable markings, colour and profile but
the Galapagos Shark has a far more slender body, especially when young,
and a slightly rounded dorsal fin.
Female Galapagos Sharks are often seen with deep mating scars caused by
males biting their gills, fins and flanks in a dominance display. Pups
are born 60–80 cm long and grow to an adult size of 3 m. They feed
primarily on fish and squid. Like the Grey Reef Shark, the Galapagos Shark
also has a threat display that is used to warn off predators or competitors
looking for food or territory.