Sleeping Sharks

There have been a lot of whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) in Honaunau Bay over the last couple of months. One morning I found eight of them crammed tightly together under a small ledge in shallow water. In addition to the shark's head in this photo, you can see the back of one and the tail of another.

Snuggling Sharks

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

The Reliable Model

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

whitetip reef shark                Triaenodon obesus


This young shark is a very reliable model for me. For several months now, she can always be found at the same resting spot in the early morning. I know it's always the same individual by the distinctive scar behind the mouth on her right side - a memento from an encounter with a fisherman's hook. Sometimes she shares her resting spot with a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).

Friday's Shark

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

whitetip reef shark                     Triaenodon obesus

Bunkmates

Photo Copyright 2014 by Barry Fackler

This photo shows a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) sharing its resting spot with a whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus). As mismatched as this arrangement may seem, I've actually seen it several times and I imagine it must be fairly common. Both species like to shelter under ledges or in lava tubes during the day and, since such places are in short supply, inter-species co-habitation sometimes occurs. This type of shark has small teeth and feeds on small reef fishes and invertebrates so the turtle is not in peril.

These species like to shelter in tight spaces so getting a pleasing photo of both creatures is difficult. Hence, the shark's face being obscured.