ExploreFish

Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Nurse Sharks are known for their calm nature! They love to rest on the ocean floor during the day.

Habitat: Shallow coastal waters

Appearance

The Nurse Shark is typically yellowish-brown to dark brown, with a flattened head and small eyes. It has two broad dorsal fins set far back on its body and a very long, low caudal fin. Prominent sensory barbels dangle from its snout.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassElasmobranchiiOrderOrectolobiformesFamilyGinglymostomatidaeGenusGinglymostoma

Nurse Shark

Interesting facts

Nurse sharks can actually 'walk' on their fins along the ocean bottom!

Their rough skin is covered in tiny tooth-like scales called dermal denticles!

They can stay still on the seafloor for hours, just like a submarine!

Unlike most sharks, they can suck in water while resting, without swimming!

Special abilities

Nurse Shark can create powerful suction to vacuum prey from crevices thanks to its small mouth and strong throat muscles.

Nurse Shark has whisker-like barbels near its mouth that help it feel and taste for hidden prey in murky waters or sand.

Nurse Shark can pump water over its gills while resting motionless on the seafloor, unlike many other sharks.

Nurse Shark has incredibly strong jaws and crushing plate-like teeth to easily break the shells of crabs and clams.

Measurements & details

Length: 200-300 cm
Weight: 90-120 kg
Lifespan: 20-25 years
Swim Speed: 8 km/h
Max Depth: 75 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

They are slow-moving hunters that feast on crabs, lobsters, and small fish from the ocean floor.

Primary Foods

crabs
lobsters
shrimp
octopus
squid
small fish

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Blue Crab

Callinectes sapidus

A primary prey item found on the ocean floor.

hunts

Common Octopus

Octopus vulgaris

Nurse sharks use suction to pull them from hiding.

hunts

Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Panulirus argus

Crushes the hard shells of these abundant lobsters.

symbiotic with

Whitefin Sharksucker

Echeneis naucrates

Attaches to the shark for transport and feeds on scraps.

Traits

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