Anatomy/Characteristics
What are some of the unique internal and external features of the Grey Reef Shark? What do they do?
What are the negative impacts of the Grey Reef Shark? (how do they negatively impact the environment/other organisms?)
Where is the Grey Reef Shark found? (what ocean/oceans?)
They are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans
How do Grey Reef Sharks hunt for their food? Do they form groups, or do they hunt alone?
They may hunt individually OR in groups, and pin schools of fish against the outer walls of coral reefs for feeding. They also utilize the cover of darkness to ambush their prey.
What is the class of the Grey Reef Shark?
Chondrichthyes
What anatomical features do all members of Chondrichthyes have? (think sharks, skates, and rays)
All members of Chondrichthyes have a cartilaginous skeleton, a two-chambered heart, placoid scales, and they lack opercula and a swim bladder
What is the positive environmental impact of the Grey Reef Shark? (what do they do for their ecosystem?)
They are an indicator species that help to maintain the balance of marine life in reefs
What kind of habitat is the Grey Reef Shark found in? (NOT location based. what kind of environment do they like?)
They are marine organisms and prefer shallow tropical/subtropical waters near lagoons & coral atolls
What is the gestation period of the Grey Reef Shark? Are they viviparous or oviparous? (Do they have a live birth or do they lay eggs?)
Gestation lasts twelve months, and female grey reef sharks produce one to six offspring each time. They are viviparous and have a live birth
What is the order of the Grey Reef Shark?
Carcharhiniformes
How long can the Grey Reef Shark get? Is it different from male to female? (answer in ft)
The males are usually 4.25-4.75ft long, and the females are usually around 4-4.5ft long
What is the negative environmental impact of the Grey Reef Shark?
Their removal can cause trophic cascades & disruptions to the carbon cycle, as they protect ocean vegetation that absorbs carbon
What is the diet of the Grey Reef Shark like? (what do they eat?)
Octopi, squid, crustaceans, and various other fish
What is the mating ritual of the Grey Reef Shark like? What do the males do before mating?
Both sharks give behavioral cues: the male performs a dance and the female swims away until the male lunges at her and seizes her with his teeth before they mate.
What is the family of the Grey Reef Shark?
Carcharhinidae
Does the Grey Reef Shark possess a special feature within their class that other classes in the phylum do not?
They are the 5th fastest shark species, reaching speeds of up to 31 mph in short bursts. They are also one of the most social shark species
What are some of the ways the Grey Reef Shark is being protected? (what kinds of practices or conservation efforts?)
Utilizing marine protected areas, managing commercial & recreational shark fisheries, restrictions on shark harvests, public education about how human practices like overfishing and dynamite fishing affect sharks
Around 280 meters (918.6 feet)
How does the Grey Reef Shark defend itself? (defense mechanisms, adaptations, etc.)
Like all sharks, they have thick skin and razor-sharp teeth to defend themselves. They also have countershading on their skin to better blend into the shadows of the water.
What is the genus of the Grey Reef Shark?
Carcharhinus
What are the colors/patterns of the Grey Reef Shark like? Are they different between males and females, or are they the same?
They are dark grey above & paler/more white-ish below, and occasionally have a bronze tint to their skin. They have a white tip to their dorsal fin & darker tips on the other fins.
There are no differences between the male and female patterns.
What is the current conservation status of the Grey Reef Shark? What are some of the negative conservation concerns for the Grey Reef Shark?
They are endangered. The decline of their population is due to poor water quality, pollution, climate change, habitat destruction, and destructive fishing practices
Does the Grey Reef Shark have any predators? If so, what are they?
Yes, their predators include orca whales and larger sharks such as the silvertip shark, tiger shark, and the great hammerhead shark
What does the Grey Reef Shark do when it feels threatened? (movements, displays, swim patterns, etc.)
They arch their backs, lower their pectoral fins and “wag” their head and tail. They will also swim in spiral or figure eight patterns
What is the Grey Reef Shark's scientific name? (must be formatted properly to get points!)
a) Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
b) Carcharodon carcharias
c) Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
d) Rhincodon typus
c) Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos