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.
Key takeaway
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 overview
Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is a fish listed here as Vulnerable. Typical weight 75–110 kg (165–240 lb); max about 150 kg; lifespan around 20–25 years in the wild.
Nurse Shark ecology
Diet: Carnivore — fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays. Habitat: Warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific coral reefs and sand flats. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Nurse Sharks and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild nurse sharks are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Vulnerable. See the full Nurse Shark profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
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.
Sources
Nurse Shark FAQs
What are key facts about nurse sharks?
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.
What is the scientific name of the nurse shark?
Ginglymostoma cirratum — used in research and conservation listings for nurse sharks.
What do nurse sharks eat?
Nurse Sharks eat fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays, with seasonal and regional variation in Warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific coral reefs and sand flats.
Where do nurse sharks live?
They are associated with Warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific coral reefs and sand flats. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of nurse sharks?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.