Details
Ginglymostoma cirratum
The nurse shark is a large, generally placid shark of tropical coastal bottoms. It is most active at night and often rests under ledges or coral by day.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It inhabits reefs, rocky areas, and shallow coasts in the Atlantic, the Pacific. Daytime shelter under caves and ledges is important.
Length 230-300 cm; weight 75 kg-110 kg. A stout body, rounded head, small eyes, and barbels beside the mouth distinguish it. The yellow-brown to gray-brown back blends with shaded bottoms.
Nocturnal and usually solitary, it may gather with others at resting sites. It swims slowly near the bottom and uses strong suction to capture prey.
A carnivore, it eats fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and octopuses. Suction lets it pull prey from narrow crevices.
Young develop inside the mother and are born as formed juveniles. Slow growth and reliance on coastal nurseries increase vulnerability.
It is listed as Vulnerable; slow growth and use of coastal habitats make it sensitive to fishing and habitat change.
