Ginglymostoma cirratum

(Nurse Shark)

Size

Has been recorded up to 14 feet, but usually less than 9.

Recognition Characters

Has fleshy barbels around the nostril areas; slits from the nostrils to the mouth; lacks lower caudae fin lobe;

Color

Rusty to yellowish brown; has small black spots when young; small yellow eyes

Habitat & Depth

Bottom on the sand, more commonly under reef ledges.

Distribution at GRNMS

Occassional

Geographic Range

Rhode Island to Brazil

Behavior & Notes

Typically motionless bottom-dweller; harmless shark that feeds on crustaceans and shellfish with its grinding teeth.

Synonyms

References