# Nurse Shark (*Ginglymostoma cirratum*)

> The nurse shark is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling shark of warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific coral reefs and sand flats. Reaching about 3 metres long and up to around 100 kg, it is known for its docile nature and habit of resting motionless on the seabed by day. It feeds at night on fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays, using powerful suction to draw prey from crevices. Nurse sharks live 20 to 25 years and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

- **Category:** Fish
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Warm Atlantic from Rhode Island to southern Brazil and West Africa; eastern Pacific from Baja to Peru.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/nurse-shark/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Chondrichthyes
- **Order:** Orectolobiformes
- **Family:** Ginglymostomatidae
- **Genus:** Ginglymostoma

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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) |

## Appearance and identification

The nurse shark has a broad, flattened head, a rounded body, and a long tail that can make up much of its total length of around 3 metres. Its colour is usually a plain yellowish-brown to grey-brown, helping it blend with sandy and reef bottoms. Two distinctive barbels hang below the snout, fleshy whisker-like organs it uses to taste and feel for hidden prey. Large adults can weigh up to about 100 kg, and exceptional individuals reach roughly 150 kg.

## Habitat and range

Nurse sharks live in warm, shallow waters of the western and eastern Atlantic and the eastern Pacific, favouring coral reefs, rocky ledges, and sand flats. They are strongly associated with the seabed and are rarely found far from the bottom. By day they often gather in groups, resting in caves, under ledges, or piled together on the sand. Their preference for shallow inshore waters brings them into regular contact with divers and snorkellers.

## Feeding and hunting

Nurse sharks are nocturnal carnivores that hunt after dark for fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays. Rather than chasing prey, they use a powerful, rapid suction to vacuum animals out of crevices and from beneath the sand. Their small mouths and rows of tightly packed, crushing teeth are well suited to breaking open hard-shelled prey such as crabs and conch. During the day they mostly rest and digest, conserving energy for the night's foraging.

## Behaviour and movement

Despite their size, nurse sharks are among the most sluggish and docile of sharks, spending much of the day lying still on the seabed. When they do swim, they move with slow, sinuous beats of the tail and can put on a burst of up to 40 km/h if threatened. Unlike many sharks, they can pump water over their gills while stationary, so they do not need to keep swimming to breathe. This ability is what allows them to rest motionless for long periods.

## Reproduction and life cycle

Nurse sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs hatch inside the mother and she gives birth to live, fully formed pups. Litters can number around 20 to 30 young after a gestation of roughly six months. The pups are independent from birth and shelter among reefs and seagrass to avoid predators. Nurse sharks grow slowly and are long-lived, reaching 20 to 25 years in the wild.

## Conservation and threats

The nurse shark is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with numbers declining in several parts of its range. Its shallow, inshore habits make it easy to catch, and it is taken for its meat, fins, and skin, as well as being caught accidentally in other fisheries. Coastal development and reef damage further reduce the habitats it depends on. Its slow growth and modest litter sizes mean populations recover only slowly once depleted.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are nurse sharks dangerous to humans?

Nurse sharks are generally docile and pose little threat to people, and they are among the calmest of sharks. Bites are rare and almost always the result of a shark being grabbed, stepped on, or otherwise provoked, as they have strong jaws and can clamp down hard if disturbed.

### What do nurse sharks eat?

Nurse sharks are carnivores that feed at night on fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays. They use powerful suction to draw prey out of crevices and from under the sand, and their crushing teeth are ideal for breaking open hard-shelled animals such as crabs and conch.

### How big do nurse sharks get?

Adult nurse sharks reach about 3 metres in length and commonly weigh up to around 100 kg, with the largest individuals reaching roughly 150 kg. Much of their length is made up of a long tail.

### Why do nurse sharks lie still on the bottom?

Nurse sharks are nocturnal and rest on the seabed during the day to conserve energy for night-time hunting. Unlike many sharks, they can actively pump water over their gills while stationary, so they do not need to keep swimming to breathe and can lie motionless for long periods.

### How long do nurse sharks live?

Nurse sharks are long-lived, reaching 20 to 25 years in the wild. They grow slowly and mature relatively late, which is part of why their populations are slow to recover from overfishing.

### Are nurse sharks endangered?

Nurse sharks are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, meaning they face a real risk of decline in the wild. Their shallow, inshore habits make them easy to catch, and slow growth combined with fishing pressure and habitat loss has reduced numbers in several regions.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Ginglymostoma cirratum.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Ginglymostoma%20cirratum&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Ginglymostoma cirratum. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ginglymostoma_cirratum/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/nurse-shark/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.