Meet Aumakua, our speedy blacktip shark pal! His name comes from Hawaiian culture, where an ‘Aumakua’ is a special family spirit that often takes the form of an animal—like a wise guardian from the sea! How cool is that?
With his snazzy black-tipped fins, Aumakua zips through warm, shallow waters like a superhero of the ocean. He’s super fast (seriously, he can leap right out of the water!) and loves exploring coral reefs, meeting colorful fish and curious sea creatures along the way. Whether he’s splashing, zooming, or just soaking in the sea breeze, Aumakua reminds us that nature and culture go fin-in-fin.
Origin
The blacktip shark has been swimming in the oceans for millions of years, evolving from ancient shark species that roamed the seas. Their sleek bodies and swift swimming abilities have helped them adapt to their environment over time, making them expert hunters in warm, coastal waters around the world.
Risk Level
The risk level of the blacktip shark is considered “medium” because it is classified as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List.
Species
Blacktip sharks are known for their striking black-tipped fins and agile swimming abilities. They inhabit warm, shallow waters in oceans around the world, often seen gracefully gliding just beneath the surface. These sharks are social creatures, often found in groups, and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by keeping fish populations in check.
Status
For species like the blacktip shark, being “Near Threatened” highlights the need for more attention to conservation. It reminds us of the importance of protecting their natural habitats and ensuring sustainable practices in activities like fishing. By addressing these issues early, we can help prevent the species from moving to more severe categories, like “Vulnerable” or “Endangered.”
Why is ‘Aumakua’ important to the eco-system?
Blacktip sharks are crucial to the ecosystem because they help maintain the balance of marine life. As apex predators, they play a vital role in controlling the populations of fish and other marine species, which helps prevent any one species from becoming too dominant.
This balance ensures a healthy and diverse ocean environment, supporting everything from tiny plankton to large marine mammals. Additionally, by preying on the sick and weak, blacktip sharks help keep fish populations robust and healthy. Their presence can even indicate the overall well-being of the marine ecosystem!
Measuring the Risk of Extinction
A species is considered critically endangered if it has lost 80% or more of its geographic range, and has a greater than 50% chance of extinction over the next 10–100 years.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is not currently listed as Critically Endangered, but is classified as Vulnerable globally due to population declines from overfishing, bycatch, and habitat degradation.
A species is considered endangered if it has lost more than half of its geographic range, and has a greater than 20% chance of extinction over the next 10–100 years.
It appears that the Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, not Endangered.
source
A species is considered vulnerable if there is a greater than 10% chance that it goes extinct in the wild within 100 years.
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (A2bd)
The Blacktip Shark, a widespread coastal species found in tropical and warm temperate seas, is currently listed as Vulnerable. Its population is decreasing, primarily due to overfishing both targeted and as bycatch and habitat degradation
A species is close to meeting the definition of endangered, vulnerable, or critically endangered based on recent trends.
The Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is not classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Its current global status is Vulnerable (VU) under criteria A2bd, with an assessment published on November 18, 2020.
The Near Threatened category does not apply to this species. In fact, C. limbatus is consistently categorized as Vulnerable due to its declining population, primarily impacted by overfishing, high value in fisheries, and its relatively low reproductive rate
A species is widespread, abundant, and not threatened with extinction.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is not classified as Least Concern, but rather as Vulnerable, due to ongoing population declines caused by overfishing, bycatch, and habitat loss.
The Blacktip Shark is widespread and relatively abundant in some regions. Although it faces localized threats from fishing and habitat change, current population levels remain stable enough to qualify for the Least Concern category. Continued monitoring is important to ensure its status remains secure.
source
Measuring the Risk of Extinction
A species is considered critically endangered if it has lost 80% or more of its geographic range, and has a greater than 50% chance of extinction over the next 10–100 years.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is not currently listed as Critically Endangered, but is classified as Vulnerable globally due to population declines from overfishing, bycatch, and habitat degradation.
A species is considered endangered if it has lost more than half of its geographic range, and has a greater than 20% chance of extinction over the next 10–100 years.
It appears that the Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, not Endangered.
source
A species is considered vulnerable if there is a greater than 10% chance that it goes extinct in the wild within 100 years.
Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (A2bd)
The Blacktip Shark, a widespread coastal species found in tropical and warm temperate seas, is currently listed as Vulnerable. Its population is decreasing, primarily due to overfishing both targeted and as bycatch and habitat degradation
The Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is not classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Its current global status is Vulnerable (VU) under criteria A2bd, with an assessment published on November 18, 2020.
The Near Threatened category does not apply to this species. In fact, C. limbatus is consistently categorized as Vulnerable due to its declining population, primarily impacted by overfishing, high value in fisheries, and its relatively low reproductive rate
According to the IUCN Red List, the Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is not classified as Least Concern, but rather as Vulnerable, due to ongoing population declines caused by overfishing, bycatch, and habitat loss.
The Blacktip Shark is widespread and relatively abundant in some regions. Although it faces localized threats from fishing and habitat change, current population levels remain stable enough to qualify for the Least Concern category. Continued monitoring is important to ensure its status remains secure.
source
100% Recycled: Head to Toe!
1
The fabric
We scour the best recycled material fabrics so that our plush always feels premium and soft to the touch!
2
Hang Tag
The Hangtag is made of recycled paper and attached with a Recycled Polyamide attacher.
3
Embroidery
Even our threads are recycled! They are extensively used in creation of adorable eyes!
4
Fiber Fill
What’s inside? Well it’s recycled, super soft, hypo-allergenic fiber!
Call of the Wild: Learning Den
Let’s get inspired to reconnect with nature! Discover cool facts about amazing animals, their families, and why they’re so important for keeping our planet wild and beautiful. It’s time to learn, explore, and take action to protect the incredible creatures that share our world.
8
8 feet – That’s how long a full-grown Blacktip Shark can get!
60
60 km/h – These sharks can swim up to this speed when hunting—super speedy!
30
30 years – That’s the estimated maximum lifespan of a Blacktip Shark in the wild!
Dive In with the Coolest Shark Around!
Fun Facts: Nature Nuggets!
Blacktip sharks are considered harmless to humans, making them friendly neighbors in the ocean!
These sharks have a great sense of smell like a superhero sniffing out snacks!
Blacktip sharks love to hang out in schools, just like kids at recess!
