The silky shark is one of the most abundant open-water shark species. Its genus name, Carcharhinus, is derived from the Greek words “karcharos” (sharpen) and “rhinos” (nose).
  • Size

    6-7.5 feet (2-2.3 m)
  • Diet

    Fish, squid, pelagic crabs, nautilus
  • Range

    Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans
  • Habitat

    Continental and insular shelves, over deep water reefs and in open ocean, slope and shallow, coastal waters

Physical Characteristics

  • The body is large and slim with a moderately long, rounded snout, large eyes, and small jaws.
  • Coloration can vary greatly in this species. The dorsal surface may have a bronze tint and can range in color from dark brown to blue-gray or dark gray. The ventral surface is white.
  • Defining characteristics include small, densely-packed dermal denticles and notched, or serrated, teeth.
  • The size and density of the dermal denticles give the shark’s skin a smooth or “silky” texture.
  • The first dorsal fin is small and rounded. The second dorsal fin is small with a long, trailing tip. Pectoral fins are elongated and sickle-shaped.
  • Common length for adult females is 7-7.5 feet (2.1-2.3 m); common length for adult males is 6-7 feet (2-2.1 m).
  • The maximum recorded length is 11.5 feet (3.5 m).
  • The maximum recorded weight is 802 pounds (364 kg).

Animal Fact

A silky shark's maximum recorded length is 11.5 feet (3.5 m).

Diet / Feeding

  • Generalist carnivore; diet consists of various species of fish, squid, pelagic crabs, nautilus and chub mackerel.
  • Variation in their diet depends on the abundance and availability of prey. Opportunistic feeder when prey abundance is low, often consuming a wide variety of prey from different habitats and depths in the open ocean.
  • Juveniles feed primarily on jumbo squid while adults feed on red crabs, chub mackerel, yellowfin tuna, albacore, mullet and porcupine fish.
  • Highly migratory species, often following the movements of schooling fish such as tuna.

Range / Habitat

  • Occurs in tropical and subtropical waters in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
  • Western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to southern Brazil including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to Uruguay.
  • Eastern Atlantic Ocean from Madeira, Spain to northern Angola, S. Paul’s Rocks, and Cape Verde.
  • Western Indian and the Red Sea from Tanzania to Mozambique including Madagascar and the Comoros.
  • Eastern Indian Ocean from the Maldives and Sri Lanka to western Australia.
  • Indo-Pacific from China to New Zealand and the Caroline, Hawaiian, Phoenix, and Line Islands.
  • Eastern Pacific Ocean from southern Baja California, Mexico to northern Chile.
  • Highly migratory species.
  • Found on continental and insular shelves, over deep water reefs and in open ocean, slope and shallow, coastal waters at depths between 60-165 feet (18-50 m).
  • Prefers warmer waters of about 74°F (23°C)

Reproduction & Growth

  • Reproductive maturity is reached at 7-9 years of age and 7-7.5 feet (2-2.3 m) in length in females; 6-7 years and 6-7 feet (1.8-2.1 m) in males.
  • Sharks in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific Ocean achieve maturity at younger ages and at smaller sizes than sharks in other areas (approximately two years younger and 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 m) shorter).
  • Viviparous; give birth to live young.
  • Breeding takes place year-round in tropical waters and in summer months (June, July and August) in warm-temperate waters.
  • The average gestation period is 12 months.
  • Litter number varies by geographic location, litter size can range between 2-14 pups.
  • Pups may spend the first few months of life near reefs or in nursery areas until their first winter when they move to the open ocean.

Conservation Status

  • Listed as “Vulnerable” on The IUCN Red List.

Sources

www.fishbase.org

www.iucnredlist.org

www.arkive.org

www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu

www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish

www.animaldiversity.org

Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia. Thoney, D. A. and Loiselle, P. V.

Sharks and Rays of Australia. Last and Stevens

Buy Tickets