Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Carcharhinus galapagensis
- Common name
- Galapagos shark
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Carcharhinus
- Size
- 200–370 cm
- Depth
- 1–180 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, schooling, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Eastern Pacific
Description
Carcharhinus galapagensis reaches 3.7 m and 190 kg. Carcharhinidae shark with uniform bronze-gray fusiform body, white belly, characteristic high pointed first dorsal. Species primarily associated with isolated oceanic islands (Galapagos as eponym, Cocos, Revillagigedo, Bermuda, Hawaii, Easter Island). Lives from 1 to 180 m around pinnacles and drop-offs. Curious opportunistic predator. Abundant populations in Galapagos. Listed LC but locally impacted. Iconic Darwin/Wolf encounters with Rhincodon and Sphyrna lewini. Emblematic wide-angle photo subject.
Photo of Galapagos shark
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Galapagos shark?
- Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) reaches 200–370 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Galapagos shark?
- Galapagos shark is found between 1–180 m deep.
- Is the Galapagos shark dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Galapagos shark?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Galapagos shark?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Carcharhinus
- Carcharhinus melanopterus - Blacktip reef shark
- Carcharhinus perezi - Caribbean reef shark
- Carcharhinus falciformis - Silky shark
- Carcharhinus obscurus - Dusky shark
- Carcharhinus longimanus - Oceanic whitetip shark
- Carcharhinus leucas - Bull Shark
Other species in the family Carcharhinidae
- Prionace glauca - Blue shark
- Triaenodon obesus - Whitetip reef shark
- Negaprion brevirostris - Lemon shark
- Negaprion acutidens - Sicklefin lemon shark
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105790)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2417964)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia