Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse sharks inhabit warm, shallow coastal waters, including coral reefs, mangroves, and sandy flats in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific. They spend much of the day resting in crevices or beneath ledges, becoming more active at night. Using sensitive barbels around the mouth, they locate bottom-dwelling prey such as crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish, then draw it in with powerful suction. Unlike many sharks, they can pump water over their gills while resting on the seabed.
- Type
- Water / Fang
- Conservation status
- VU