Tawny Nurse Shark
Nebrius ferrugineus
The tawny nurse shark inhabits shallow coral reefs, rocky ledges, lagoons, and sandy reef flats across the Indo-Pacific. It is largely nocturnal, spending daylight hours resting in caves or beneath overhangs before searching the bottom after dark. Its powerful suction feeding draws in crustaceans, molluscs, sea urchins, and small fishes. This shark can rest while pumping water over its gills, rather than needing to swim continuously.
- Type
- Water / Fang
- Conservation status
- VU