The Caribbean Sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) is a requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean.
Family: Carcharhinidae – Requiem sharks
Genus: Rhizoprionodon
Species: porosus
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Ground Sharks
Family– Carcharhinidae
Common Name– Requiem Sharks
Genus– Rhizoprionodon
Species– porosus
Status: IUCN Red List LEAST CONCERN
Average Size and Length: The Caribbean Sharpnose shark is born between 31 and 39 cm. Mature males are 1.9 feet on average, and females 2.6 feet on average. The maximum recorded was 3.6 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: The teeth of the Caribbean Sharpnose shark are serrated.
Head: The Caribbean Sharpnose shark has a long snout, with wide-spaced nostrils. They have long labial furrows. They have large eyes.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Caribbean Sharpnose shark can be found in the tropical West Atlantic in the Caribbean and South America between latitudes 28° N and 40° S. They are usually found inshore on the continental shelf to offshore to 1640 feet.
Diet: They primarily eat small bony fish and invertebrates.
Aesthetic Identification: Caribbean Sharpnose sharks are small, they are brown to grey-brown above with white spots on occasion on their sides. Their fins are white-edged. They are counter-shaded white below.
Biology and Reproduction: The Caribbean Sharpnose shark is viviparous. They have 2 to 6 pups per litter. There is a 10 to 11-month gestation. They are born in the spring or the early summer off of Southern Brazil. Both sexes seem to reach maturity at about 2.1 to 2.3 feet, just over 2 years old. The life span is estimated to be about 8–10 years old.
Caribbean Sharpnose Shark Future and Conservation: They are common and resilient.
Caribbean Sharpnose Shark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.