Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) in natural habitat
๐Ÿ“ธ FaunaWiki Verified Wildlife Photo

Nurse Shark

Scientific Name: Ginglymostoma cirratum
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IUCN Conservation Status: Vulnerable

The Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is cataloged as Vulnerable on the official IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

โšก Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)

  • Taxonomic Class: Fish & Marine Life
  • Dietary Niche: Carnivore (Spiny lobsters, crabs, sea urchins, squid, octopus)
  • Max Speed: 40 km/h (25 mph)
  • Adult Weight: 90 - 150 kg (200 - 330 lbs)
  • Typical Lifespan: 25 - 35 years
  • Primary Habitat: Shallow tropical coral reefs, mangrove channels, sand flats
  • Native Region: Tropical Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

๐Ÿ“Š Physical & Biological Metrics

Class
Fish & Marine Life
Diet Type
Carnivore (Spiny lobsters, crabs, sea urchins, squid, octopus)
Habitat
Shallow tropical coral reefs, mangrove channels, sand flats
Lifespan
25 - 35 years
Adult Weight
90 - 150 kg (200 - 330 lbs)
Top Speed
40 km/h (25 mph)
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Geographic Range & Distribution
Tropical Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans
Native Biome: Shallow tropical coral reefs, mangrove channels, sand flats

๐Ÿงฌ Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Chondrichthyes
Order Orectolobiformes
Family Ginglymostomatidae
Genus Ginglymostoma
Species Binomial Ginglymostoma cirratum

๐Ÿ“– 1. Species Overview

The Nurse Shark is a docile, bottom-dwelling shark. Unlike most sharks that must swim to breathe, nurse sharks pump water over their gills while resting motionless on reef floors.

๐Ÿฆฟ 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations

Smooth grey-brown skin, broad flat head, two barbels on upper lip, rounded fins, and small serrated teeth.

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range

Nocturnal hunters. They rest in groups of up to 40 inside reef caves during the day.

๐Ÿฅฉ 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics

Use strong suction to vacuum lobsters and crabs out of coral crevices at night.

๐Ÿฃ 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy

Ovoviviparous. Females give birth to litters of 20-30 pups after a 6-month gestation.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection

Vulnerable. Threatened by reef habitat loss and entanglement in fishing gear.

๐Ÿ’ก Fascinating Facts & Trivia

  • Nurse sharks use powerful suction to vacuum food out of coral cracks, making a loud popping noise that sounds like a kiss.
  • They can rest completely still on ocean floors by pumping water across their gills using buccal pumping.

โ“ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Nurse Shark.

What is the scientific taxonomy of the Nurse Shark? โ–ผ

The Nurse Shark is scientifically classified as Ginglymostoma cirratum. It belongs to the genus Ginglymostoma within the family Ginglymostomatidae, class Chondrichthyes, and phylum Chordata.

Where does the Nurse Shark live in the wild? โ–ผ

In the wild, Nurse Sharks inhabit Shallow tropical coral reefs, mangrove channels, sand flats. Their native geographic range primarily spans Tropical Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans.

What do Nurse Sharks eat in their natural habitat? โ–ผ

The Nurse Shark is classified as a Carnivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Shallow tropical coral reefs, mangrove channels, sand flats.

How fast can a Nurse Shark move, and what is its typical size? โ–ผ

A Nurse Shark can achieve top speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph) and weighs approximately 90 - 150 kg (200 - 330 lbs). Its expected natural lifespan is 25 - 35 years.

What is the IUCN conservation status of the Nurse Shark? โ–ผ

The Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is currently designated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Cite this Article

FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) Species Profile."

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