Pigeye shark

Taxobox
name = Pigeye shark


status = DD | status_system = IUCN2.3
trend = unknown
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Chondrichthyes
subclassis = Elasmobranchii
ordo = Carcharhiniformes
familia = Carcharhinidae
genus = "Carcharhinus"
species = "C. amboinensis"
binomial = "Carcharhinus amboinensis"
binomial_authority = (Müller & Henle, 1839)
range_

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range_map_width = 250px
range_map_caption = Range of pigeye shark

The pigeye shark, "Carcharhinus amboinensis", is a requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae, found in tropical waters between latitudes 26° N and 26° S, from the surface to 150 m. Its length is up to about 2.8 m.

The pigeye shark is a massive shark with a thick-set head, a short, broad and blunt snout, small eyes and large, triangular, saw-edged upper teeth. The first dorsal fin high and erect, at least 3.2 times the height of the second dorsal fin. There is no interdorsal ridge.

It is an inshore species of the continental and insular shelves, commonly inhabiting shallow waters close inshore, near the surf line and along beaches, but it may also be found in shallow bays and estuaries, as well as off the open coast but not ascending rivers. It is predominantly demersal but is found throughout the water column. It feeds on pelagic and demersal bony fishes, sharks and rays, squid, shrimps, cuttlefish, octopuses, lobsters, gastropods and mammalian carrion.

It is viviparous. While potentially dangerous it has not been recorded in shark attacks to date. Its flesh is utilized fresh and dried-salted for human consumption.

Coloration is greyish, white below, the fins having dusky tips.

References

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