The Silky Shark, also known as the Carcharhinus Falciformis, gets its name from the smooth and silky texture of its skin. Depending on its geographical location, it is also known as the Grey Reef Shark, Olive, Whaler, and sometimes Blackspot.
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These sharks have a streamlined and slim body. As adults, they can reach 3.5 meters (12ft) in length and weigh around 350 kilograms (770 pounds).
Habitat
Map Of The Silky Shark’s Habitat
These sharks love the warm, tropical waters all over the world. They are the most common sharks of the “Pelagic Zone” which are continental shelves with depths of 500 meters or more (1,640ft). But often times, they are seen near the surface as well. The desired water temperature is 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (60 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Hunting Behavior
They have an extremely strong sense of hearing. This acts as a great advantage for locating their preys, mostly consisting of bony fish (especially Tuna), octopuses, and squids.
These predators have a perfect and effective hunting behavior. They dive together in large groups of fish and attack them with lighting fast speed and wide open mouths.
Offspring And Reproduction
Silkies are Ovoviviparous, which means they give birth to live pups. Most females will give birth to 15 or 20 pups at once. The reproduction period is about one year and the pups live within the confines of reefs for safety and shelter before moving out into open seas as juveniles.
Relationship with Humans
For years, scientists believed there was a very high population of this species. But they have now been classified as “near threatened” and there are some concerns about the depleting population. While these sharks have a relatively slow reproductive rate, they are well dispersed.
The Silky often times gets caught into fishing nets due to their hunting behavior. They chase after tuna fish at a quick speed and don’t see the nets until they are already trapped.
Attacks on humans, while rare, are a concern for divers. This shark is not shy and will attack when provoked. Divers are encouraged to keep their distance from the Silky Shark.
Raw Footage Of A Silky Shark
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
