Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Carcharhinus longimanus
Also known as: Brown Milbert's Sandbar Shark, Brown Shark, Nigano Shark, Oceanic Shark, Oceanic White-tipped Whaler, Silvertip Shark, Whitetip, Whitetip Shark, Whitetip Whaler, White-tipped Shark
- Brown Milbert's Sandbar Shark
- Brown Shark
- Nigano Shark
- Oceanic Shark
- Oceanic White-tipped Whaler
- Silvertip Shark
- Whitetip
- Whitetip Shark
- Whitetip Whaler
- White-tipped Shark
Overview
Found singly often accompanied by dolphinfish, pilot fish, remoras and tortoises over oceanic deep waters but sometimes close to shorelines.
They feed on almost anything, from birds, crustaceans, fish, turtles and any garbage disposed of at sea! Including people.
Widespread Circumglobal
They are very active, fearless and potentially dangerous and have been known to approach divers and boats in the open sea. They have probably been responsible for attacks on people in open water from air and sea disasters.
Requiem Sharks have some of the most potentially dangerous sharks in their family and are responsible for over half of shark attacks. They can also be difficult to identify!
How to identify
- Pattern
- white tips
- Behaviour
- approaches diverssolitary
Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Worldwide
- Country only · 1
Found singly often accompanied by dolphinfish, pilot fish, remoras and tortoises over oceanic deep waters but sometimes close to shorelines.
Adult photos 2
Discussion
No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.
Deep dive
More in the family
Ground-Requim Sharks (Carcharhinidae)

Blacktail Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

Blacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus

Bull Shark
Carcharhinus leucas
13 photos

Caribbean Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon porosus
2 photos

Nervous Shark
Carcharhinus cautus
1 photo
Sandbar Shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
0 photos

Silky Shark
Carcharhinus falciformis
2 photos

Whitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
43 photos