ANIMAL FACTSHEET

Carcharhinus falciformis

FACTS AT A
GLANCE The Silky shark is named for the smooth texture of its
skin, which is made up of densely packed scales called
TYPE OF
ANIMAL dermal denticles. It is one of the most abundant shark
Animalia
species and can be found in tropical waters worldwide. It
OTHER is a swift and aggressive hunter known to drive prey into
NAMES
Silky shark, blackspot shark compacted schools before launching an open-mouthed,
slashing attack.
SCIENTIFIC
NAME
Carcharhinus falciformis
HABITA BEHAVIOU
ANIMAL Silky sharks are known for their quick and
FAMILY
The silky shark is a common tropical- aggressive behaviour and have been seen
Carcharhinidae subtropical, epipelagic species that performing threat displays in which they
occurs in the Atlantic, Pacific and raise their head, arch their back, and lower
FOUND WHERE? Indian oceans. In the western Atlantic, their tail. Several shark species display this
it ranges from Massachusetts to Brazil behaviour in situations dealing with the
Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian
and from Spain to Angola in the eastern territory, mates, and predators. Silky sharks
Oceans
Atlantic. It is found in the western are also known for their curious and
LENGTH Indian Ocean and the Red Sea from sometimes aggressive behaviour towards
M: 2.5-3 m, F: 2.5-3.5 m
Tanzania to Mozambique. Although divers and boats, although they are
essentially pelagic, the silky shark is generally not considered a significant
HEIGH
not restricted to the open ocean and has threat to humans. Additionally, silky sharks
been recorded from depths as shallow exhibit complex social behaviours,
T including communication through body
N/A as 18 meters. It is an active, swift shark
that prefers warmer water (about 23°C). language, posturing, and possibly chemical
signals.
WEIGHT
M: 150-200 kg, F: 180-300kg
The cubs drink their mother’s milk for around 3 months, but have begun to eat meat after 6
weeks. Their mother teaches them to hunt, and at six months they begin to prey on small
CONSERVATION STATUS animals.
Near Threatened
Kemal YILDIZ
Biology Department
 ANIMAL FACTSHEET

The Silky Shark can be characterized as a long lived (up to 30 years) species,
relatively slow growing, and maturing at between 5-10 years of age. Depending on
the study, litter size ranges from 2- 25 individuals.

TAXONOMY DIET
KINGDOM : Animalia This species feeds primarily on a variety of bony fish, cephalopods, and to a
lesser extent, crustaceans. Tuna (little tunny and yellowfin), albacore,
PHYLUM : Chordata mullet, mackerel, porcupine fish, squid, nautiluses, and various crabs have
all been found in the stomachs of silky sharks.
CLASSIS : Chondrichthyes
ECONOMIC VALUE
ORDER : Carcharhiniformes The silky shark is of considerable importance to longline and gillnet fisheries
in many parts of the world. In the Gulf of Mexico, it is often caught as

FAMILY : Carcharhinidae bycatch in the tuna fishery but also harvested by the directed shark fishery. In
Japanese waters, the silky shark is commonly taken in the directed pelagic

GENUS : Carcharhinus shark fishery but also in the swordfish and tuna fishery as bycatch, while
around the mid-Atlantic coasts of the United States, it is fished but not in

SPECIES : Carcharhinus significant numbers.

INTERACTION WITH HUMANS

falciformis
This species is considered potentially dangerous to people primarily
because of its size. Its oceanic habits make contact with humans a relative
rarity, however, it has been implicated in a few attacks. The silky shark has
been observed with head raised, back arched and tail lowered, a posture
believed to be a form of threat display.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The cultural significance of silky sharks varies among different
communities and regions, but they often hold symbolic and traditional
importance in certain cultures, particularly in coastal and island
communities where sharks are part of local folklore, mythology, and
traditions. The Silky Shark and other sharks mainly play a significance in
ceremonial practices associated with shark fishing.
ThePREPARED
cubs drink BY
their mother’s:milk
Eva for
Aleksovska
around 3 months, but have begun to eat meat after 6
CLASS
weeks. : I-C to hunt, and at six months they begin to prey on small
Their mother teaches them
animals.
ACADEMIC YEAR : 2023/2024

Kemal YILDIZ
Biology Department