Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)

Description

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Silky shark fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Silky shark description

A streamlined predator, the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) gets its common name from its exceptionally smooth skin, which has an almost metallic tone. The upperparts of the silky shark range between brown, bronze and grey, while its underparts are white ⁽³⁾.

The tail of the silky shark has a slightly larger upper than lower lobe, which provides good thrust for catching fast-moving prey, as well as lift to keep the shark from sinking. The pectoral fins are long and slender, and there are two dorsal fins, the second of which is considerably smaller than the first. The dorsal fins are often darker than the rest of the body ⁽³⁾. The silky shark has relatively large eyes, and small teeth that are heavily serrated on both sides to help grip slippery prey ⁽⁴⁾.

The female silky shark is generally slightly larger than the male ⁽⁴⁾.

Synonyms

Carcharias falciformis.

Size

Average length: 2 - 2.5 m ⁽²⁾

Maximum length: 3.3 m ⁽³⁾

Silky shark biology

The silky shark is an active predator that feeds primarily on pelagic bony fish such as mackerel, tuna and mullet. It also feeds on cephalopods, such as squid, which are found at greater depths, and has also been known to occasionally eat crustaceans such as crabs. In the Pacific Ocean, large numbers of silky sharks have been observed gathering around tightly packed shoals of small fish, known as ‘bait balls’ ^{(3) (4)}.

The silky shark can be both a solitary and social species ⁽²⁾. Interestingly, it often shoals with individuals of its own size, although segregation by sex is not strongly shown ⁽⁴⁾.

Female silky sharks are viviparous, meaning the embryos develop inside the female without an egg case and are born live ⁽⁵⁾. The silky shark has a long gestation period of 12 months, and the typical litter size is between 2 and 14 young. The young silky sharks are typically born in late spring, around May or June, and each measures 70 to 85 centimetres at birth. Male silky sharks mature at 9 to 10 years old, while females mature at 12 years. The typical lifespan of the silky shark is believed to be about 23 years ⁽⁴⁾.

Silky shark range

The silky shark is widespread across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is most commonly seen in the Red Sea, the waters surrounding the Bahamas, and at Cocos Island off Costa Rica ^{(3) (4)}.

Silky shark habitat

The silky shark is a pelagic species, mainly occupying open tropical seas. It has been recorded in waters from 18 to 500 metres deep ⁽³⁾. Adult silky sharks are typically found in deep waters, while smaller individuals are often found in shallower coastal waters ⁽⁴⁾.

The silky shark favours warm water, around 23 degrees Celsius, and tends to remain near the surface ⁽⁴⁾.

Silky shark status

The silky shark is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Silky shark threats

Due to its beautifully marked skin, the silky shark is a popular target for the shark leather trade. Like many other sharks, it is also fished for its fins, meat and liver oil ⁽⁵⁾. The silky shark is ranked in the top three most important sharks in the global fin trade, with up to 1.5 million fins being traded annually from this species ⁽¹⁾.

As well as being deliberately targeted by fisheries, the silky shark also suffers from being caught as bycatch, in particular by fishing methods such as purse seines and long lines. It is the most frequent species of shark caught by purse seines used to fish tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean ⁽¹⁾.

Despite these threats, a lack of information about the silky shark’s population numbers means it is not clear exactly how threatened this species is ⁽⁴⁾.

Silky shark conservation

There are currently no international limits placed on catches of the silky shark, nor is it the focus of any other specific conservation measures ⁽¹⁾.

However, some areas inhabited by the silky shark are protected, such as Cocos Island and its surrounding ecosystems, which are protected against fishing by the Costa Rican government ⁽⁶⁾.

Find out more

Find out more about shark conservation:

• Bite-Back: Shark and Marine Conservation:
  http://www.bite-back.com/
• Shark Trust:
  http://www.sharktrust.org/
• Save Our Seas Foundation:
  http://www.saveourseas.com/
• Project AWARE:
  http://www.projectaware.org/

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

Bycatch

In the fishing industry, the part of the catch made up of non-target species.

Cephalopods

From the Greek for ‘head-foot’, a group of animals that occur only in marine habitats. All species have grasping tentacles, and either an internal or external shell. Includes cuttlefish, squids and octopuses.

Crustaceans

A diverse group of animals with jointed limbs and a hard external skeleton, characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (parts of the mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, woodlice and barnacles.

Dorsal fins

The unpaired fins found on the back of the body of fish.

Gestation

The state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth.

Pectoral fins

The pair of fins that are found one on each side of the body just behind the gills. They are generally used for balancing and braking.

Pelagic

Relating to or inhabiting the open ocean.

Purse seine netting

Fishing method whereby a school of fish (such as tuna) is encircled with a net, which is then closed at the bottom, or ‘pursed’, trapping the catch.

Viviparous

Giving birth to live offspring that develop inside the mother’s body.

References

1. IUCN Red List (June, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. McIntyre, J.M. (2007) Sharks: Savage Predators of the Ocean. Parragon, Bath, UK.
3. Ferrari, A.F. (2002) Sharks. Firefly Gooks, New York.
4. Silky Shark Profile, Ichthyology Department, Florida Museum of Natural History (June, 2011)
   http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/silkyshark/silkyshark.html
5. Parker, S.P. (2008) The Encyclopedia of Sharks. Quintet Publishing Limited, London, UK.
6. Cochran, F. (2011) Costa Rica Expands Marine Protected Area Around Cocos Island. National Geographic, Daily News. Available at:
   http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/06/costa_rica_expands_marine_prot/