blacktip shark

noun

black·​tip shark ˈblak-ˌtip- How to pronounce blacktip shark (audio)
variants or blacktip or less commonly black-tipped shark
: 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

Examples of blacktip shark in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Spinner and blacktip sharks are also known to come near shore. Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 2 June 2023 Lab mates Melanie Hutchinson and James Anderson attach a MK-10 satellite pop-up tag (Wildlife Computers) to a coastal blacktip shark. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2013 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blacktip shark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blacktip shark was in 1916

Dictionary Entries Near blacktip shark

Cite this Entry

“Blacktip shark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blacktip%20shark. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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