advanced PADI, NAUI and SSI .

- 60 meters ( 195 feet) for divers of superior levels.

Rangiroa and Tikehau are blessed with a year round subtropical climate. The average temperature is 28 C (82.4 F),

and between 26 and 29 C (79 and 84 F) in the water.

present in the clear waters of the lagoons, it lives in groups, sometimes quite numerous.

During its reproductive period, (southern winters), these gatherings can consist of several

hundreds of individuals. Those of Tiputa, (atoll of Rangiroa), are recognized as being the

largest of the species. This shark is curious, but keeps his distance from divers. Nevertheless,

it responds quickly to food stimuli, and forgets its wariness to become “insistent”. In this case

it can be significantly dangerous, as spear fishermen are well aware.

Maximum length : 255 cm (8-1/2 feet)-Depth :0 to 280 meters ( 900 feet). Diet : fish, cephalopods, crustaceans.

Streamlined body and tapered, rounded snout. Grey with bronze tints. Whitish stomach. Its front dorsa

l fin is short and rounded at its apex. The hind edge of its second dorsal fin is free-moving and elongated.

The adult shark’s pectoral fins are long and tapered. The skin is soft to the touch, hence its name. A pelagic shark,

which sometimes approaches the coastline. Generally alone, and occasionally in small groups. Very

inquisitive, this shark may approach to the point of touching without necessarily biting, but is potentially dangerous.

Carcharhinus falciformis Maximum length: 10 feet. Depth: 0 to 2,600 feet.

Diet: Fish, rays, cephalopods, crustaceans, small sharks.

Copper-gray back, lighter belly. All of its fins are marked in white on the tips and

posterior edges. Adults, preferring greater depths, move along the outer ocean

cliffs at 300 feet or deeper, and rarely come to the surface unless there is food

stimulus. The young are more often found around the passes.

Curious but territorial behavior. Potentially dangerous

especially near food stimulus.

Carcharhinus albimarginatus Max. length: 10 feet. Depth: 0 to 2,600 feet.

Yellowish-beige back. Whitish stomach. The tips of the fins are black. The dorsal fin is also marked

It often hunts in very shallow waters along the coastline, and on the outer reefs. Curious but timid. Not very dangerous.

Carcharhinus melanopterus Maximum length: 6-1/2 feet. Depth: 0 to 240 feet.

Lemon shark

Juveniles prefer the sandy expanses of the shallow lagoons. Young adults congregate along the edges of the reefs.

This shark has a bad reputation, especially among spear fishermen.

Negaprion acutidens Maximum length: 12-1/2 feet. Depth: 0 to 300 feet. Diet: Fish and rays.

distrust. Potentially dangerous.

Sphyrna mokarran Maximum length: 20 feet or more.

Depth: 0 to 325 feet.

Diet: Fish, rays, sharks, cephalopods, crustaceans.

Short and wide snout. The eye is round with a large black pupil. Its back is gray with vertical dark stripes

more evident on the younger sharks. Its stomach is light colored, its dorsal fin is triangular. A rigid

crest runs along its caudal peduncle. It can be found everywhere along oceanic slopes, but is rarely

bays and lagoons. The tiger shark is the unique ovoviviparous carcharinadae. Its litters may consist of several

dozens of individuals. Often solitary, but occasionally in couples. Opportunistic, it has a varied diet

consisting of both live animals (turtles, birds, rays, sharks, crustaceans, etc.) as well as carrion.

. It is quite dangerous for divers and swimmers, as its slow and sure manner of swimming

gives no warning of its sudden attack.

Galeocerdo cuvier Maximum length: 18 feet. Depth:0 to 1,100 feet.

Diet: fish, crustaceans, turtles, birds, marine mammals.

The eyes are positioned laterally, and are located in front of the two flexible appendages,

which, when they are opened out, channel the plankton towards the mouth. There are

tiny teeth in the lower jaw. There is no stinger.

These rays are ovoviviparous. At the end of their 13 month gestation period,

they give birth to one, or more often two young, about 4 feet long, weighing about

100 pounds . Adults cruise alone or in small groups along the oceanic slopes

and in the lagoons. They enjoy the passes where their food exists in abundance.

They sometimes stay without moving near the seafloor where they are groomed

by cleaner fish.

Manta birostris Maximum length: 22 feet (wingspan).

The back is dark, covered with small white rings. The stomach is whitish. Nicknamed “bird

ray” because of its oblong shape and prominent head, lengthened by its long, narrow muzzle

which resembles some sea birds’ beaks. It is present in lagoons and passes, as well as along

the ocean floor. During its reproductive period, the austral winter, eagle rays congregate in

groups of up to a hundred individuals. A favorite prey of the great hammerhead shark.

Maximum length: 8 feet (wingspan). Diet: Molluscs and invertebrates.

The largest of the labridae, it may reach 450 pounds. Thick lips and large scales. Very mobile

eyes. In the last phase of their lives they develop a prominent frontal hump. In their early

lives, they are gray-green, with two dark lines behind their eyes. The young prefer protected

zones of the lagoons, rich in coral. Adults prefer the exterior underwater cliffs and entrances

to the passes. They take refuge each night in the same cavity in the reef. Adults are loners and

territorial. Hardly ever aggressive, they willingly follow along with divers.

Cheilinus undulatus Maximum length: 8 feet; Depth: 0 to 200 feet.

Diet: Crustaceans, molluscs, fish, echinoderms.

Convex forehead, short muzzle ( 3 inches), projecting lower jaw.

Irresistible “smile”. Between 18 and 26 cone-shaped teeth

per jaw. False fin. Gray skin on its back, paler on the sides,

almost white underneath. Clicks in frequencies of 4,000

to 170,000 hertz. Whistles, squeals, squeaks. The species lives

in small groups, which make up super-schools of hundreds of individuals.

Tursiops truncatus Maximum length: 14 feet (males).

The top of the animal is totally black, the underside is whitish, the body massive. Each

pectoral fin may attain one third of the length of the body. The designs on the caudal fin

(black on top, and white underneath) are unique to each whale and may be used to identify

individuals.

The name in French and in English refers to the hump in front of the dorsal fin of the animal.

16 to 20 ventral grooves permit a very large opening of its mouth; the dark colored baleens

(270 to 400) are found on each side of the mouth. The young are born every two to three

years. Gestation lasts about 11 months. The baby whale is nursed by its mother for the first six

months, and measures 13 to16 feet and weighs 1 to 2 tons when born.

Megaptera novaeangliae Size: 50 to 52 feet+ (males) -52 to 55 feet (females). Weight: 25 to 33 tons. Spout: 8 to10 feet high.

Average dive: 3 to 9 minutes (dives of 45 minutes have been observed). Lifespan: 30 to 40 years. Population: 12,000 to 15,000. Diet: krill and small fish.

therefore presume that they are singing seduction songs.

These songs consist of low notes that vary

in amplitude and frequency, with repeated sequences

which seem to fit together and follow recognizable

patterns. The whales may sing for hours and even

days at a time. The songs of the humpback whales are as

famous as its exuberant leaps and playful behavior.

In wintertime, during its mating season, males

confront each other to establish their domination:

: leaping, holding themselves erect, slapping the

water with their caudal or pectoral fins.

In their mating areas, such as Rurutu, we can often

observe mothers and babies escorted by a male.

Larger groups can be observed in their feeding areas.

How can you recognize one?

lungs, as compared to only 10% to 20%