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The silky shark (Carcharias falciformis) is a large pelagic shark of tropical and warm temperate seas.
Distribution
This species is found worldwide in tropical and warm temperate (> 23°C) seas. It is usually found in open sea (pelagic), but sometimes approaches the coast, especially at far out islands. It is found at depths of 1 to at least 500 meters.
Appearance
This fish has a large, 'typical' shark body, slender with 'silky' smooth skin. It is black on top and white below with no special markings.
The maximum size is 3.3 m, but the length is usually not more than 2.4 m.
Diet
The silky shark is a predator. It feeds mainly on inshore and pelagic bony fishes, but also eats squid and pelagic crab.
Behaviour
The silky shark is more active and aggressive than the other two big pelagic sharks, the Blue shark and Oceanic white-tipped. It is likely more common close to shore than the blue and oceanic white-tipped, but is still a pelagic shark, quite rare to see close to shore.
Silky sharks are not dangerous to divers, but in the presence of speared fish or if approached directly they can get aggressive, and therefore should be considered potentially dangerous shark.
Reproduction
These sharks are viviparous (young fed in utero by a placental sac), with a litter size varying from 2 to 14 young. Sexual maturity is reached near a length of about 2.2 meters for females and 2.0 meters for males.
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