Skip to main content

Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark
Phylum : Chordata
Class : Chondrichthyes
Order : Orectolobiformes
Family : Ginglymostomatidae
Genus : Ginglymostoma
Species : cirratum

Length : 7.5-10ft (2.2-3m)
Weight : 200-325lbs (90-150g)

IUCN Status : Data Deficient

The origin of the Nurse Shark's name is a bit shrouded in mystery. It might be a derivation of "Nusse," which is a name given to different types of "Catshark." It might also be taken from the Old-English Hurse, which refers to sea-floor dwelling sharks. It also might refer to the sucking sound that the sharks make while hunting.

If those possible name origins didn't already give it away, the Nurse Shark is a bottom dwelling shark that has catfish-like whiskers. They can be found in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, in warm tropical and subtropical coastal water.

Nurse Sharks are not harmful to humans, even though they can get quite large. The prefer to feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates like shrimp, snails, and octopuses, as well as fish. They have small mouths but amazingly fast and strong suction power, and strong jaws that allow them to crush shells with ease.

Nurse Sharks are ovoviviparous, and give birth to 20-30 young at a time.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bornean Orangutan

The Bornean Orangutan is one of two extant Orangutan species in the world. It is the third largest primate (after Gorillas) and is the largest primarily tree-dwelling animal in the world. Males are substantially larger than females, and average at around 165lbs. Bornean Orangutans are largely solitary. A handful might live within a small range but they will seldom interact with one another. Males and females only meet up to breed, which happens only once every several years. A young Orangutan will stay with it's mother for about five years, and the females tend to go about eight years between births. That is the longest interim period of any animal! Sadly, the Bornean Orangutans are in a lot of trouble. They need large forests in order to thrive, and deforestation and habitat degradation has left many homeless. They are also hunted for meat and for traditional medicines. Conservation areas are being established to help these guys in the wild, and it is believed that there are a
59 comments
Read more

Four!

For anyone who was counting, yesterday was our birthday-- four years! Four years filled with animals from A to Z, more than 1,100 of them! I can't thank my readers enough, it's been wonderful! And in celebration of that milestone... I'm taking a break. Hopefully not forever, but for a little bit at least. In the mean time I plan on getting a new layout out, along with some updates to some of the older articles. I'll post updates here and on the Facebook page, I'm also brainstorming some new animal-related projects, so keep an eye out! Thanks again for four awesome years!
18 comments
Read more

Halloween Crab

Gecarcinus quadratus The Halloween Crab goes by many names, including the Red Land Crab, Whitespot Crab, and Moon Crab. I personally like Halloween Crab though, since it really reflects the interesting colors. They have black carapaces, orange-red legs, and purple claws! Halloween Crabs live in the Pacific coast mangroves and forests of Central and South America. They actually live in the forests as adults, and return to the ocean in order to reproduce. Did you know that they live as far away as 18 miles (30km)  from water? Not where you normally think Crabs to be! While living in the forest, the Crabs forage nocturnally for different plant matter, including leaves and sapling. They also dig long burrows into the ground for protection. These burrows can measure nearly 5 ft long! Halloween Crabs are sometimes kept in captivity, and can be very tricky pets due to their excellent climbing skills. IUCN Status :  Not Listed Location :   Cent
Post a Comment
Read more