Overview

Nurse sharks have a stout, cylindrical body with a broad, flattened head and a short, blunt snout. Their coloration is typically grayish brown to olive-brown, with darker spots or blotches. They are distinguished from other shark species by their prominent barbels, which are fleshy appendages located near their mouths. Nurse sharks also have a unique breathing pattern, where they can pump water over their gills while resting on the seabed.

Commonly found in:

1. Bahamas
2. Belize
3. Brazil
4. Cuba
5. Dominican Republic
6. United States
7. Honduras
8. Mexico
9. Panama
10. Puerto Rico
11. Turks and Caicos
12. Venezuela
13. Virgin Islands (USA)
14. Virgin Islands (UK)

Over the past 85 years, there have been 65 recorded attacks by nurse sharks. Of these attacks, they have occurred at sea and at the following beaches:

• Playa Boqueron
• Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
• Duck Key
• Sombrero Beach
• Riviera Beach

Size and Weight

• Size: Males average between 7.5-9 feet when mature; females average between 8.5-10 feet when mature
• Weight: Males typically weigh 200-250 pounds; females typically weigh 250-300 pounds
• Swimming speed: Both sexes swim at an average speed of 1.5 mph

Interaction with Humans

• Interaction with Humans: Generally docile, but may bite if provoked or stepped on
• Avoidance: Stay out of shallow waters at night, avoid areas with rocky bottoms
• Activity: Nocturnal, most active at night

Lifespan and Diet

• Lifespan: Both males and females can live up to 25 years in the wild
• Diet: Crustaceans, mollusks, small fish; hunt by sucking prey into their mouths

Migratory Patterns

Nurse sharks do not have significant migratory patterns. They are generally sedentary and tend to stay in the same local areas year-round, often resting on the ocean floor during the day and becoming more active at night to feed.