# Nurse Shark (*Ginglymostoma cirratum*) Nurse Sharks are known for their calm nature! They love to rest on the ocean floor during the day. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Shallow coastal waters - **Also known as:** Ginglymostoma, Nurse Shark Catfish ![Nurse Shark](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426125/objects/4720.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Elasmobranchii - **Order:** Orectolobiformes - **Family:** Ginglymostomatidae - **Genus:** Ginglymostoma ## 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 - **Suction Mouth:** Nurse Shark can create powerful suction to vacuum prey from crevices thanks to its small mouth and strong throat muscles. - **Whisker Sensors:** Nurse Shark has whisker-like barbels near its mouth that help it feel and taste for hidden prey in murky waters or sand. - **Resting Breather:** Nurse Shark can pump water over its gills while resting motionless on the seafloor, unlike many other sharks. - **Shell Crusher:** 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 - **Maximum 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Nurse Shark? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Nurse Shark? 200-300 cm ### How much does Nurse Shark weigh? 90-120 kg ### How long does Nurse Shark live? 20-25 years ### What does Nurse Shark eat? They are slow-moving hunters that feast on crabs, lobsters, and small fish from the ocean floor. ### How fast can Nurse Shark swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Nurse Shark usually found? Shallow coastal waters ### How does Nurse Shark hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Greater Cleveland Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greater-cleveland-aquarium-ohio) — Ohio, US · Aquarium - [Key West Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Downtown Miami Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-miami-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Greater Cleveland Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greater-cleveland-aquarium) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Jones Family Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jones-family-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Vizcaya Museum and Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/vizcaya-museum-and-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Nurse Shark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/nurse-shark) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Nurse Shark: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/nurse-shark)