Nurse Shark

Overview

The Nurse Shark is a robust, bottom-dwelling species commonly found in shallow tropical and subtropical coastal waters. Known for its placid nature, this shark is frequently observed resting motionless on the seafloor during the day, often tucked into crevices or gathered in small groups.

Distribution & habitat

This species is primarily distributed across the western Atlantic, ranging from Rhode Island to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. It is also found in the eastern Atlantic, spanning from the Cape Verde Islands to Gabon. They typically inhabit shallow environments such as coral reefs, rocky bottoms, channels, and mangrove prop roots.

Appearance

The Nurse Shark is characterized by a broad, blunt head and a small, inferior mouth equipped with two prominent, sensory barbels used to detect prey. Its skin is notably rough, composed of dermal denticles that feel like sandpaper. The body is generally yellow-brown to grey-brown, with juveniles sometimes displaying small dark spots. It features two broadly rounded dorsal fins and a long caudal fin that accounts for over a quarter of its total body length.

Biology & behavior

Primarily nocturnal, these sharks are active hunters at night but remain sluggish and sedentary during daylight hours. They are capable of buccal pumping, which allows them to breathe while lying still on the bottom. While generally indifferent to divers, they may react if molested or accidentally stepped upon.

Feeding

They are opportunistic foragers that use a powerful suction motion to capture prey from the sand and reef crevices. Their diet consists of a variety of bottom-dwelling invertebrates, including spiny lobsters, crabs, shrimp, squid, octopi, and mollusks, as well as small fish.

Reproduction

Nurse sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning eggs hatch inside the mother before the young are born. They are known for their mating site fidelity, often returning to the same shallow areas for courtship and reproduction over many years.