Human's whaler shark
📖 Overview
Human's whaler shark (Carcharhinus humani) is a ray-finned fish of the family Carcharhinidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 84.4 cm. It occurs at depths between 36 and 43 metres. With a trophic level of 4, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This species is distinguished by the following characters: moderately long and narrowly rounded snout; upper anterior teeth are oblique and blade-like, coarsely serrated, the lateral margin deeply notched and with several large, smooth basal cusplets; lower anterior teeth are narrower, slightly oblique, lateral margins notched and usually several smooth basal cusplets; total tooth row counts 24-26/22-25, or 46-50; a weak ridge usually present on midline of interdorsal space, 20.4-22.0% TL; moderately tall and slightly falcate first dorsal fin, its origin just anterior to pectoral-fin free rear tip, length 13.4-14.6% TL, 1.3-1.5 times height, inner margin 1.7-2.3 times in base; broadly triangular second dorsal fin, its height 39-48% of first dorsal-fin height, origin about opposite to anal-fin origin; anal fin falcate, height 0.8-1.0 times second dorsal height, base 0.9-1.2 times second dorsal-fin base; colour pale brownish to grey dorsally, whitish ventrally; second dorsal fin with a black blotch on upper one to two thirds of fin, not extending onto upper surface of body and strongly demarcated from ground colour; most other fins have whitish outer margins; total vertebral counts 153-160 in 4 type specimens; precaudal counts 75-79; precaudal counts - monospondylous 45-48, diplospondylous 27-32; diplospondylous caudal counts 78-81 .Cross section: angular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Human's whaler shark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 36 - 43 m . Tropical south to Mozambique (Maputo Bay) and South Africa (Natal).
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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