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Animal profile

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Carcharhinus longimanus

ChondrichthyesWarm open ocean, usually in the upper 200 metres far from landCritically Endangered

Field profile

The oceanic whitetip is a stocky pelagic shark with extremely long, rounded, white-tipped pectoral and dorsal fins, reaching around three metres. It cruises slowly through nutrient-poor open ocean and investigates anything unusual. Once among the most abundant large animals on Earth, it has declined catastrophically.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2023-07-18

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

One of the ocean's most abundant sharks nearly vanished

The oceanic whitetip was once described as possibly the most numerous large animal on the planet above about 45 kilograms. Longline fisheries removed it so thoroughly that it is now Critically Endangered across its worldwide range.

Read with evidence →

Oceanic Whitetip Shark | Daily Animal Facts