Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Genus
- Carcharhinus
- Species
- amboinensis
Habitat
Pigeye sharks primarily inhabit shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and sometimes rivers in tropical and subtropical regions. They prefer murky, inshore environments with sandy or muddy bottoms, commonly found in the Indo-West Pacific from East Africa to Australia. These areas provide ample prey and protection from larger predators.
Diet
Pigeye sharks feed mainly on bony fishes such as mullets and sardines, as well as cephalopods like squid and crustaceans including crabs. They are opportunistic hunters, often ambushing prey in murky waters, and tend to feed at dusk or night when visibility is low. Their feeding behavior involves quick bursts of speed to capture prey.
Behavior
Pigeye sharks are typically solitary or found in small groups, showing territorial behavior around feeding grounds. They are primarily nocturnal, hunting at night and resting during the day in deeper waters. These sharks exhibit curiosity towards divers but can be aggressive if provoked, and they migrate seasonally to follow prey.
Conservation Status
Listed as Data Deficient by IUCN.