The blacktip shark is a widely distributed species found in warm, shallow coastal waters, including the Galapagos. It is small to medium-sized, with a streamlined grey body, a long snout, and distinctive black markings on its fins. Known for its agility, it sometimes leaps out of the water in a spinning motion. Blacktip sharks mature at four to five years and can live over 12 years. They are viviparous, giving birth to one to ten pups after a 10–12 month gestation. The Galapagos Marine Reserve serves as an important pupping ground. Their diet mainly consists of small fish, but they also consume rays, skates, and smaller sharks. Two genetically distinct lineages exist: one in the western Atlantic and another across the eastern Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Though differences in morphology and coloration have been noted, further research is needed to confirm if they are separate species. While generally non-aggressive, blacktip sharks can become excited around food. They are often targeted by fisheries for their meat and fins, raising conservation concerns. Protection efforts, especially in the Galapagos, aim to safeguard their populations.