blacktip shark

noun

black·tip shark ˈblak-ˌtip-

variants or blacktip or less commonly black-tipped shark

ˈblak-ˌtipt-

: a small, grayish requiem shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) with black-tipped fins that is widely distributed in coastal tropical and subtropical seas

The vast majority of shark bites are from so-called hit-and-run attacks by smaller species, such as blacktip sharks. They mistake thrashing arms or dangling feet as a prey item, dart in, bite and let go when they realize it's not a fish.

Tim Friend

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The Atlantic blacktip shark – which is named for the black tips on its pectoral, dorsal and tail fins – can reach up to 6 feet in length and age to more than 15 years old.

Julia Musto, Fox News, 29 July 2021 This slender shark is often mistaken for a blacktip shark because its fins have gray or black tips.

Priscilla Aguirre, Chron, 15 July 2021 But instead of being kicked by one of his friends, as Albert thought, the sensation was the bite of a 6-foot blacktip shark that tore into his arm.

Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 25 Mar. 2021 What Tracey and Bryce, or no one else for that matter, didn’t concern themselves with were thoughts that Bryce would end up bitten by 6-foot blacktip shark and have to undergo two surgeries during a six-day hospital stay in West Palm Beach.

Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 26 Mar. 2021 But experts say blacktip sharks, not great whites, are most often responsible for bites.

CBS News, 5 Aug. 2019 Snorkelers can expect to share the turquoise waters with blacktip sharks. 2.

Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 24 July 2019 The International Shark Attack File says that blacktip sharks are responsible for 20% of unprovoked shark attacks in Florida since 1926 -- but that is still a very small number.

David Williams, CNN, 2 July 2019 It's even been seen in sharks and rays that are in the care of humans, including sawfish, blacktip sharks, leopard sharks and several other types.

Chris Ciaccia, Fox News, 30 Aug. 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blacktip shark.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of blacktip shark was in 1916

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Dictionary Entries Near blacktip shark

black tiger shrimp

blacktip shark

black titi

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Blacktip shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blacktip%20shark. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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