scubaseason
Vulnerable· population decreasing· assessed 2020

Whitetip Reef Shark

Triaenodon obesus

Sighting evidence at Molokini Crater, Maui

Whitetip Reef Shark

Photo: Craig Fujii · CC BY-NC-ND

Whitetip reef sharks rest in loose groups along Molokini's sandy channel floors during the day before dispersing to hunt at dusk, using an electroreceptive sixth sense to locate prey hidden in crevices. Their presence at Molokini is ecologically significant as an indicator of reef health, and they actively suppress the populations of smaller fish that would otherwise overgraze corals.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Whitetip Reef Shark is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites