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NURSE SHARK
Ginglymostoma cirratum
SIZE
To about 9 ft (2.7 m).
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
- Mouth near tip of snout with conspicuous nasal barbels on each side; deep grooves connecting nostrils with mouth
- First and second dorsal and anal fins broadly rounded; second dorsal fin nearly as large as first dorsal fin
- First dorsal fin originating well behind pectoral fins and over or behind origin of pelvic fins
- Caudal fin with no distinct lower lobe
- Color dark brown to yellow-brown above; lighter below, occasionally with yellowish hue on underside; juveniles often with black spots
- Very small eyes
- No interdorsal ridge
DISTRIBUTION
RI to Brazil, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Rare north of Cape Hatteras, NC.HABITAT
Coastal; bottom dwelling; often in or close to coral reefs; young in very shallow water; adults in progressively deeper water.SIMILAR SPECIES
Sand tiger and lemon shark have caudal fins with distinct lower lobe; lack nasal barbels.MORE INFORMATION
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Text descriptions taken from Guide to Sharks, Tunas, & Billfishes of the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico |
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(File Modified Sep. 13 2011)
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