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Carcharhinus falciformis
The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), also known by numerous names such as blackspot shark, grey whaler shark, olive shark, ridgeback shark, sickle shark, sickle-shaped shark, and sickle silk shark, is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, named for the smooth texture of its skin. The silky shark has a slender, streamlined body and typically grows to a length of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in). It can be distinguished from other large requiem sharks by its relatively small first dorsal fin with a curving rear margin, its tiny second dorsal fin with a long free rear tip, and its long, sickle-shaped pectoral fins. It is a deep, metallic bronze-gray above and white below.
It is one of the most abundant sharks in the pelagic zone, and can be found around the world in tropical waters. Highly mobile and migratory, this shark is most often found over the edge of the continental shelf down to 50 m (164 ft).
Silky Sharks can be very curious/inquisitive and they have been known to approach divers up close. They are usually found in school/groups. In this encounter, we came across a group of more than 50 of them in the blue water, circling around us and following us as we were ending our dive. Sometimes, when you think you are seeing them close in front of you but they can be even much closer from behind you! Amazing experience.
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