Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Rhizoprionodon
- Species
- acutus
Habitat
Milk sharks inhabit coastal and inshore waters, typically over continental shelves in depths up to 200 meters. They prefer tropical and subtropical regions, often found in sandy or muddy bottoms near river mouths and estuaries. These areas provide abundant prey and shelter from stronger currents.
Diet
Milk sharks primarily feed on small fish such as sardines and anchovies, as well as squid and crustaceans. They exhibit opportunistic feeding behavior, hunting in schools or individually, and are most active at night when they ambush prey in shallow waters.
Behavior
Milk sharks are social fish that often form schools, especially during migration or feeding. They are primarily nocturnal hunters, patrolling coastal areas for prey, and exhibit migratory behavior in response to seasonal changes in water temperature. They are generally not aggressive towards humans but may investigate divers out of curiosity.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.