Carcharhinus cautus (Whitley, 1945)
Nervous shark
Carcharhinus cautus
photo by McAuley, R.

Family:  Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)
Max. size:  150 cm TL (male/unsexed); 150 cm TL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: southern New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and northern Australia (including Western Australia, Ref. 7300).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Grey or light brown above, white below; dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins with black margins, expanded apically to black tips on caudal fin lobes and pectoral fins; probably a conspicuous white band on flank (Ref. 9997).
Biology:  A little-known reef shark found in shallow water on the continental and insular shelves, but may range in deeper water (Ref. 244). Feeds on small fishes and crabs (Ref. 244). Viviparous (Ref. 50449). Rather skittish and timid when approached (Ref. 244). Probably harmless or minimally hazardous to people (Ref. 244). Utilized for human consumption (Ref. 9997).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 June 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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