Whitetip Reef Shark

Photo: Andrianiaina Angelo · CC BY-NC

The sandy channels between Coral Garden's bommies serve as daytime resting spots for resident whitetip reef sharks, which lie motionless in groups of 3 to 8 individuals. Unlike many sharks they can remain stationary and pump water over their gills without swimming — an adaptation that suits their crevice-hunting nocturnal lifestyle. At night they become formidable pack hunters, coordinating to flush reef fish from crevices with a precision and energy that belies their lazy daytime demeanour.