Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
Quick answer
Nurse sharks rest in piles on tropical seafloors by day and suck prey from crevices at night, weighing about 100 kg and living 25 years. Generally sluggish and harmless unless provoked — a favourite for snorkelers in Caribbean reefs.
Nurse Shark facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Ginglymostoma cirratum |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore — fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays |
| Habitat | Warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific coral reefs and sand flats |
| Lifespan | 20–25 years in the wild |
| Weight | 75–110 kg (165–240 lb); max about 150 kg |
| Top speed | Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) in short bursts |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Orectolobiformes |
| Family | Ginglymostomatidae |
| Genus | Ginglymostoma |
Where it lives
Warm Atlantic from Rhode Island to southern Brazil and West Africa; eastern Pacific from Baja to Peru.
What is a group of nurse sharks called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Nurse Sharks is called a shiver.
Baby name
A baby Nurse Shark is called a pup.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Distribution and habitat
Nurse Sharks live in Warm Atlantic from Rhode Island to southern Brazil and West Africa; eastern Pacific from Baja to Peru. Preferred habitat includes warm atlantic and eastern pacific coral reefs and sand flats. Across Africa, North America, South America, population density reflects prey availability, water access, and human disturbance. Protected areas and wildlife corridors remain essential for long-term persistence.
Physical traits and behaviour
Nurse Sharks typically reach about 3 m in length and 100 kg in weight, with top speeds near 40 km/h. The docile reef bottom-dweller. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Nurse Sharks feed on carnivore — fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As fishs, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild nurse sharks.
Human interest and research
Nurse Sharks feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Dig deeper into the Nurse Shark
- Are Nurse Shark Endangered
Dig deeper into nurse shark — are nurse shark endangered.
- How Long do Nurse Shark Live?
Dig deeper into nurse shark — how long do nurse shark live.
- Nurse Shark Facts 5
Dig deeper into nurse shark — nurse shark facts 5.
- What do Nurse Shark Eat
Dig deeper into nurse shark — what do nurse shark eat.
- Where do Nurse Shark Live?
Dig deeper into nurse shark — where do nurse shark live.
Explore the Nurse Shark
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Did you know? Nurse Shark facts
- Nurse sharks rest in piles on tropical seafloors by day and suck prey from crevices at night.
- Bites are rare and usually when stepped on or harassed.
- Possibly from 'nurs' sound or archaic 'hurse' for sea floor — uncertain etymology.
- Conservation: Vulnerable.
Diet & feeding
Nurse Shark feeds primarily as a fish, crustaceans, molluscs. Strong pharyngeal muscles create vacuum to pull prey from holes.
Adaptations
- Strong pharyngeal muscles create vacuum to pull prey from holes.
- Groups pile under ledges — a favourite sight for snorkelers.
Behaviour & ecology
- Strong pharyngeal muscles create vacuum to pull prey from holes.
- Groups pile under ledges — a favourite sight for snorkelers.
Communication
- Lateral-line and visual cues coordinate schooling, courtship, or territorial behaviour.
- Some species produce low-frequency sounds or drumming for spawning or defence.
Habitat & range
Warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific reefs
Ecological role
Nurse Shark occupies a defined trophic level in aquatic food webs, linking plankton or smaller fish to larger predators.
Frequently asked questions about the Nurse Shark
Where do nurse sharks live?
Warm Atlantic from Rhode Island to southern Brazil and West Africa; eastern Pacific from Baja to Peru.
What do nurse sharks eat?
Carnivore — fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays.
How long do nurse sharks live?
About 25 years in the wild on average.
Are nurse sharks endangered?
IUCN status: Vulnerable.
What is a group of nurse sharks called?
A group of Nurse Sharks is called a shiver.
What is a baby nurse shark called?
A baby Nurse Shark is called a pup.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Nurse Shark:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Vulnerable) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Ginglymostoma cirratum.
- IUCN Red List — Ginglymostoma cirratum.
Conservation status (Vulnerable) and population trends.
- Animal Diversity Web — Ginglymostoma cirratum. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Life history, morphology, and range.
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