Ginglymostomatidae - nurse sharks

There are three species in this family of sharks. They are found in warm ocean waters in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans at depths of up to 250 feet.

They have flattened bodies; broad, flat heads; small eyes; two spineless dorsal fins; and barbells on their nostrils. Nurse sharks range in size from the 2.5 foot long short-tail nurse shark to the 9 foot long nurse shark and tawny nurse shark.

During the day they are found in shallow water in groups of up to 40 individuals in mudflats, sand flats, coral reefs, or rocky crevices. At night, nurse sharks hunt alone for small bony fish, crustaceans, octopuses, squid, sea-urchins, mollusks, and even coral.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status, or there is no status data for the species.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Additional Information

Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio

Nurse Shark - Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse sharks are slow-moving bottom-dwellers.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Nurse Shark - Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse sharks are nocturnal hunters that rest during the day in groups.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Nurse Shark - Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse sharks feed on stingrays, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle/High School

Nurse Shark - Ginglymostoma cirratum
Nurse sharks are frequently found in coral reefs.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Shorttail Nurse Shark - Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum
The short-tailed nurse shark is found in the western Indian Ocean.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Tawny Nurse Shark - Nebrius ferrugineus
The tawny nurse shark can change color from gray to brown depending on its surroundings.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School