Nurse Shark

What is a nurse shark?

A nurse shark is any member of the family Ginglymostomatidae, a group of sharks belonging to the order Orectolobiformes, also known as carpet sharks. These bottom-dwelling fish are typically found in warm, shallow coastal waters, where they often rest in groups on the seafloor during the day.¹²³

Key characteristics of nurse sharks include:

• Physical Features: They possess two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and two fleshy, tactile extensions called barbels near their nostrils, which assist in detecting prey.¹²
• Respiration: Unlike many sharks that must swim constantly to breathe, nurse sharks use a “buccal pump” mechanism to pull water across their gills, allowing them to remain motionless.¹
• Diet: They are powerful suction feeders that primarily consume crustaceans, mollusks, and small, slow-moving fish.¹
• Behavior: Generally nonaggressive, they are often tolerant of humans. However, they may bite if provoked or harassed by divers.³¹

To which fish family do nurse sharks belong?

Nurse sharks belong to the family Ginglymostomatidae. This family is part of the order Orectolobiformes, a group commonly known as carpet sharks.³²

Where can nurse sharks usually be found in the wild?

Nurse sharks are primarily bottom-dwelling fish found in warm, shallow coastal waters, where they frequently hide under ledges and coral reefs. Their distribution varies by genus:²

• Ginglymostoma: The common Atlantic nurse shark is abundant in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, ranging from Brazil to North Carolina, with occurrences also reported in the eastern Pacific Ocean and along the west coast of Africa.²
• Nebrius: These sharks are concentrated in the western Pacific Ocean.²
• Pseudoginglymostoma: This genus is limited to the western Indian Ocean.²

These sharks are considered the species most likely to be encountered in shallow, nearshore tropical environments.²

What do nurse sharks typically eat?

Nurse sharks are primarily bottom feeders that utilize powerful suction to capture their prey. Their diet typically includes:

• Crustaceans: They frequently consume lobsters, crabs, and shrimp.²
• Mollusks: They feed on shelled mollusks, such as conchs, using their suction force to pull the animals from their shells.²
• Fish: They also eat fish, generally targeting smaller, slower-moving species like lizardfish.²
• Corals: They are also known to consume corals.²

To assist in locating these food sources, nurse sharks use two fleshy, sensory extensions near their nasal openings known as barbels.²