Caribbean Reef Shark Shark Bites

My name's Steve Backshall.

Self-confessed shark-obsessed.

This is Shark Bites.

This time we meet the master of moves -

the Caribbean reef shark.

With lightning-fast reaction times,

this stocky shark is the rugby player of the reef,

and one of the most flexible fish in our seas.

As its name suggests, the Caribbean reef shark

likes to hang out in shallow waters around coral reefs.

And measuring up to three metres in length,

they're one of the largest predators in this tropical territory.

But how and why is this shark so brilliantly bendy?

The Bahamas in the Caribbean

is the perfect place to see this shark up close.

As far as I can see,

I've got three big Caribbean reef sharks already coming in very close.

They don't seem too frightened of me.

Absolutely magnificent creatures.

You can see how fearless they are. Already three of them have just

swum straight into the lens of the camera.

I mean, if I wasn't pushing them off with this,

they'd probably be swimming into me.

We've got six now!

Six big Caribbean reef sharks.

The thing that really sets the Caribbean reef shark apart

is its manoeuvrability.

It can snap almost back on itself with its head,

and snatch bait that's right next to the side of it.

The stocky and streamlined Caribbean reef shark

is packed with muscle and a skeleton.

But unlike most skeletons that are made of hard, dense,

heavy bone, all sharks have a skeleton that's made of cartilage.

Like bone, this provides support, but it's much, much lighter,

softer, and more elastic.

This cartilage is the same flexible tissue that we have in our ears,

and it allows sharks to move and turn with lightning speed.

And in the case of the Caribbean reef shark,

it allows it to turn right around so its nose can touch its tail tip.

Which is an essential skill when chasing their super speedy,

supple prey,

or just trying to avoid a shark scrum.

That was too close!

Way too close!

The Caribbean reef shark, with its lightning-fast reactions,

its tactical tenacity, and its super supple skeleton,

this is the master of moves.