Fish
Nurse Shark
The docile reef bottom-dweller
Order Orectolobiformes
Orectolobiformes is a taxonomic order in the class Chondrichthyes. Global Animal Guide profiles 2 of its members: Nurse Shark and Whale Shark. The table compares them using the figures on each profile.
Orectolobiformes species compared
| Animal | Weight | Length | Top speed | Lifespan | Native to | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Shark Ginglymostoma cirratum | 100 kg | 3 m | 40 km/h | 25 yrs | Africa, North America, South America | Vulnerable |
| Whale Shark Rhincodon typus | 19,000 kg | 12 m | 5 km/h | 80 yrs | Oceans | Endangered |
Figures are typical adult maxima from each profile; follow a profile for ranges, sources and context.
