Broad and flat head, with moderately long barbels. Mouth is well in front of the very small eyes. Spiracles present. Two big and rounded dorsal fins. Origin of first dorsal fin about opposite of pelvic fins. Large, rounded pectoral fins. Very long caudal fin, over 1/4 of total body length.
Coloration
Yellowish-brown to grey-brown. No conspicuous markings.
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Rhode Island to southern Brazil, Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba and Caribbean. Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde Islands to Senegal, Cameroon, Gabon. Eastern Pacific: California to Equador. Unknown in the Mediterranean.
Biology
Abundant in very shallow water (1m depth) of the Caribbean and the Florida Keys. They lay mostly motionless on the bottom with head in a crevice or in a cavern. Sometimes found in aggregations. Nocturnal. They prefer to swim close to the bottom. Pectoral fins are sometimes used to move over the bottom or they use them to "stand up." Nurse sharks are known to use the same crevice and cavern over long periods of time. Very hardy animal, live well in aquaria (up to 25 years has been recorded).
Diet
Crustacean, snails, bivalves, sea urchins, small fishes.
Size
Average size between 230 cm and 300 cm, maximum total length about 420 cm.
Reproduction
Aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous). Maximum litter size ever recorded: 28 pups. Mating has been documented very well, and is very complex. Sexual maturity is reached with about 230 cm.
Similar Species
None in the same area of distribution. The closely related species Tawny nurse shark has pointed pectoral fins.
Vulnerability
Category:Vulnerable (VU) Criteria:A2bcd Last evaluated:2021 Trend: