whitetip reef shark
whitetip reef shark Lexical Profile
• noun
A small, slender species of requiem shark (Triaenodon obesus) native to the shallow coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific ocean, easily recognized by the prominent white tips on its first dorsal fin and upper tail fin.
"During our morning dive off the coast of Fiji, we spotted a whitetip reef shark resting quietly beneath a large shelf of coral."
Word Nuance & Usage
Care must be taken not to confuse the whitetip reef shark with the oceanic whitetip shark; the former is a timid, bottom-dwelling reef species, while the latter is a large, aggressive pelagic shark known to be highly dangerous to humans.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The common name directly describes its primary habitat (coral reefs) and its most distinguishing physical feature (the striking white coloration on the tips of its dorsal and caudal fins).