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LEMON SHARK
Negaprion brevirostris
SIZE
To about 10.5 ft (3.2 m).
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
- First and second dorsal fins triangular, about equal in size
- Color yellowish-green, brown, or olive-gray above; yellowish below
- Snout blunt, shorter than width of mouth
- No interdorsal ridge
DISTRIBUTION
NJ to Brazil, including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Uncommon north of Cape Hatteras, NC.
HABITAT
Primarily coastal; common around coral keys, docks, bays, and estuaries; young frequent mangroves and grass flats.
SIMILAR SPECIES
Sand Tiger has flattened snout, narrrow, needlelike teeth with 1-2 small cusplets, first dorsal fin set farther back behind pectoral fins. Nurse shark has nasal barbels; lacks distinct lower lobe of caudal fin.
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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