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Enchanted Learning All About Sharks!

Geologic Time Chart

ALL ABOUT SHARKS!

GALAPAGOS SHARK Carcharhinus galapagensis

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Galapagos shark, also known as the grey reef whaler, is an aggressive requiem shark that is dark gray on top and has an off-white belly. Its tail has a black edge. There is a ridge running between the dorsal fins (the fins on the shark's back). The Galapagos shark was named in 1905 from specimens found near the Galapagos Islands (in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador).

TEETH
Teeth in upper jaw are serrated and triangular. Teeth in the lower jaw are narrower.

SIZE
They average about 10 feet (3 m) long but can reach 12 feet (3.7 m) long.

DIET AND FEEDING HABITS
Galapagos sharks are benthic feeders, eating prey taken from the ocean floor. Their diet includes bottom-dwelling squid, fish, and octopus.

GALAPAGOS SHARK ATTACKS
There have been attacks on people by this aggressive shark.

SOCIAL GROUPS
The Galapagos shark usually swims in schools.

HABITAT
Galapagos sharks live in warm waters. They are pelagic (live in open oceans) at depths ranging from 16-200 feet (5-60 m).

DISTRIBUTION
The Galapagos shark is found in tropical seas near islands.

REPRODUCTION
At birth the 6 to 16 pups are about 22-32 inches (57-80 cm) long. when they are very young, these pups stay in shallow waters away from adult Galapagos sharks, thus avoiding cannibalism (being eaten by other members of their species).

GALAPAGOS SHARK CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom Animalia (animals) Phylum Chordata SubPhylum Vertebrata (vertebrates) Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Subclass Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) Order Carcharhiniformes Family Carcharhinidae Genus Carcharhinus Species galapagensis

GALAPAGOS SHARK ACTIVITIES
A print-out about the Galapagos shark.

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