Blacktip reef sharks make friends and groups!

Blacktip reef sharks organize themselves into meaningful social groups and engage in relationships and teamwork with other sharks of the same sex and age.

A study published in 2012 by Animal Behaviour documents how one population of blacktip reef sharks is actually organized into four communities and two subcommunities. The research shows for the first time that adults of a reef-associated shark species form stable, long-term social bonds. The study was conducted at Moorea Island in the Society archipelago, French Polynesia by Johann Mourier, Julie Vercelloni, and Serge Planes. A total of seven sites were surveyed on a regular basis along just over 6 miles of the north shore of Moorea. The surveys included nearly hour-long dives at a depth close to 50 feet, with the diver photographing nearby sharks.

Analysis of the gathered data determined that the sharks were not within non-random collections, but rather had organized themselves into meaningful social groups. These communities and groups are formed for protection and to avoid aggression with each other. The study also showed that these groups work together as a team to catch prey and schools of fish.