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Surface interval:0 mins
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Dive type : Recreational
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Visibility: Excellent
Water: Salt
Data provided by EOL.org
Species Identified
Carcharias taurus Rafinesque, 1810 (sand tiger shark)
The sand tiger shark is one of the best-studied of the shark species. They are the only sharks known to gulp air at the surface and store it in their stomach to provide buoyancy . These sharks generally mate between Octobe...
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The sand tiger shark is one of the best-studied of the shark species. They are the only sharks known to gulp air at the surface and store it in their stomach to provide buoyancy . These sharks generally mate between October and November and courtship can take a long time, with the male aggressively nipping his potential mate . Females are ovoviviparous, giving birth to two large pups every two years. Pups hatch out of their eggs within the oviduct of the mother's reproductive system, one in each oviduct, and then feed on eggs that the female continues to produce . Over nine months to a year, the pups grow within their mother feeding on hundreds to thousands of eggs and, by the time they are born, measure up to a metre long . During the day they are found near caves and ledges , hovering just above the surface either singly or in small groups . These fairly docile sharks are sluggish and, despite a ferocious reputation, feed mainly on fish .
Carcharhinus plumbeus (Nardo, 1827) (sandbar shark)
The sandbar shark spends the majority of its time near the sea bottom, where it patrols continuously for prey , such as small bottom-dwelling fishes, molluscs and crustaceans . Whilst the diet of the adult consists primar...
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The sandbar shark spends the majority of its time near the sea bottom, where it patrols continuously for prey , such as small bottom-dwelling fishes, molluscs and crustaceans . Whilst the diet of the adult consists primarily of fish, the pups appear to feed more on soft blue crabs . Despite its size and large triangular teeth, the sandbar shark has never been blamed for attacks on humans, preferring instead to stick to its live fish meals . Like most other members of the Carcharhinidae family, the sandbar shark is viviparous, giving birth to between 1 and 14 pups in each litter . The size of the litter varies depending on the size of the mother, with large females giving birth to larger litters . Pregnancy is estimated to last from 8 to 12 months , and appears to differ between geographical locations . The time of year in which the pups are born also varies slightly, but all females move inshore to shallow nursery areas to give birth . These nursery grounds are separated from the normal ranges of adults , and presumably offer the young a calm, food-rich environment in which to begin their lives. The females leave these coastal areas soon after giving birth, while the young remain in the nursery grounds until winter , when they move into warmer and deeper water . A common feature of sharks is their slow growth rate and low reproductive output. Estimates of the age at which the sandbar shark matures range from eight to ten years in Hawaii , to between 12 and 15 years of age in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean . Females give birth every other year at most . Populations of sandbar sharks appear to segregate by age .
Carcharhinus acronotus (Poey, 1860) (blacknose shark)
Found on continental and insular shelves, mainly over sandy, shell, and coral bottoms. Feeds on small fishes, including pinfish and porcupine fish. Preyed on by larger sharks. Viviparous (with a yolk-sac placenta), wit...
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Found on continental and insular shelves, mainly over sandy, shell, and coral bottoms. Feeds on small fishes, including pinfish and porcupine fish. Preyed on by larger sharks. Viviparous (with a yolk-sac placenta), with 3 to 6 young per litter. Performs a 'hunch' display, with back arched, caudal lowered and head raised, as a possible threat display when confronted by divers. Utilized dried salted for human consumption.
Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen, 1790) (Bishop ray)
Large groups of spotted eagle rays may be seen outside of the breeding season. These rays swim close to the surface and can occasionally be seen jumping clear out of the water (known as 'breaching') . Females give birth to...
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Large groups of spotted eagle rays may be seen outside of the breeding season. These rays swim close to the surface and can occasionally be seen jumping clear out of the water (known as 'breaching') . Females give birth to around 4 live young . Spotted eagle rays have heavy dental plates which they use to crush their hard-shelled prey ; they feed predominantly on bivalve shellfish .
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Sarah Smith
Date: 2016-05-11 - 17:10
Max Depth: 10m Duration: 40mins
