Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
- Group: Shark
- Typical depth: 0–130 m
- Max size: 4.3 m
- For divers: dangerous
- IUCN status: VU
A heavy bodied bottom dweller, this shark spends the day lying still on reefs and sandy patches, often piled together in groups. At night it switches to feeding, suctioning lobsters, crabs, snails and small fish from the seabed with a powerful gulp. It can reach more than four metres, and while normally placid it will bite if disturbed.
Taxonomy: Animalia › Chordata › Elasmobranchii › Orectolobiformes › Ginglymostomatidae › Ginglymostoma
Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 105846.
FAQ
- How deep does the Nurse Shark live?
- The Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is typically found at 0–130 m.
- Is the Nurse Shark dangerous to divers?
- The Nurse Shark can be dangerous; divers should keep their distance.
- How big does the Nurse Shark get?
- The Nurse Shark grows to about 4.3 m.