Sister Sister

People often ask if Caribbean reef sharks hunt together or swim in packs. The truth is, they’re not true “pack hunters” like some other species. They’re usually independent, but you’ll often see them cruising the same reef at the same time, especially in areas where food is plentiful. In this image, both sharks are females. Female Caribbean reef sharks tend to leave the reef during certain times of the year to mate and later give birth in quieter, safer areas. They don’t lay eggs, they give live birth, and the pups are on their own from day one. What I love most about this photo is the symmetry. Two sisters of the reef, each with a small remora tucked beneath them. Remoras use a suction disc on top of their heads to hitch a ride, feeding on scraps and conserving energy while the shark does the swimming. Even apex predators don’t travel alone, there’s always another story swimming alongside them.