Page 420 - Micronesia

Sharks and Rays

B lacktip Reef Shark - Size: maximum 6.5 feet. This is prob- G rey Reef Shark. Adult size: maximum 8.to 20 feet. It is distin-
ably the most common shark in French Polynesia. It is dis- guished by its perfectly grey skin, white belly and its black
tinguished easily by the black tips on the edge of each fin. This

shark is quite fearful and considered quite harmless. Although edged caudal fin. This shark has a lively and bold behavioral pat-

this does not keep them from coming close to divers just to tern notably observed in the presence of stimuli. The Grey shark

satisfy their curiosity. Feeding patterns are nocturnal, mostly on is described to have the vivacity of the Black tip and the strength

sleeping fish they likely have trouble catching in the day. of the Lemon shark. For this reason it is both feared and respect-

G reat Hammerhead - The great hammerhead should not to be ed. Somewhat curious, this shark will not hesitate to curiously ap-
confused with the smaller and more common scalloped ham- proach divers a few feet away only to scurry away shortly thereaf-
ter. They usually are found in the northern coast of Moorea at Tiki

merhead, which can be seen schooling in many locations around point, with the peculiarity of only female sittings. They are also

the world. Encountering the great hammerhead, with its spec- found mostly in the vicinity of the reef walls and outside in the

tacular angularity, its Orca-like dorsal fin, and its bristle-toothed passes, from the surface to 100 meters in depth.

mouth, is at the very pinnacle of wildlife adventure. In addition W hite Tip Lagoon Shark - Adult size: 5.57 to 6.6 feet. This
to great hammerheads, the boats also in search of the tiger shark. shark can be distinguished by its white trimmed dorsal and
Although the tiger shark tends to be more cautious than the great

hammerhead, tiger sharks from 6-18 feet in length are regularly caudal fins. It is a shark that can be observed in schools, dur-

encountered. The giant of the tropical shark world, this awesome ing the day usually resting on the bottom, in caves or on rocky

predator will sometimes cruise past in bulky silhouette, approach- overhangs. The white tip lagoon shark is found in coastal habi-

ing the baits with fearless purpose, an exhilarating experience. tats, territory it shares with the black tips and lemon sharks. It

These spectacular animals are among the most impressive yet becomes active mainly at night feeding on fish that it ferrets out

rarely observed of oceanic predators. For many years, the great of holes and crevices.

hammerhead has eluded underwater photographers.