Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Myliobatiformes
- Family
- Ginglymostomatidae
- Genus
- Ginglymostoma
- Species
- cirratum
Habitat
Nurse sharks primarily inhabit shallow, warm waters of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans, often found on coral reefs, sandy bottoms, and near mangroves. They prefer depths from 0 to 20 meters but can occasionally venture deeper to 80 meters. These sharks are commonly associated with coastal areas and sheltered environments like lagoons.
Diet
Nurse sharks feed mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crabs, lobsters, and octopuses, which they crush with their powerful jaws. They also consume small fish and squid, often sucking prey into their mouths with a powerful suction force. Feeding activity is primarily nocturnal, as they forage along the seafloor during the night.
Behavior
Nurse sharks are mostly solitary but can form loose groups around food sources or resting areas. They are nocturnal hunters, resting during the day in caves, under ledges, or buried in sand, and exhibit a docile temperament that allows close human interactions. They show territorial behavior when defending their resting spots but are not aggressive unless provoked.
Conservation Status
Listed as Data Deficient by IUCN.