Nurse Shark

The nurse shark is a large, slow-moving shark found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, commonly encountered resting motionless on the seafloor near reefs, rocky ledges and sandy bottoms during the day. It has a broad, flattened head, small eyes, and a pair of long, fleshy barbels near its nostrils that help it detect prey buried in sand, along with a yellowish-brown to grey skin that can appear almost smooth compared to other sharks. Unlike many shark species that must swim continuously to breathe, the nurse shark can pump water actively over its gills while stationary, allowing it to rest motionless on the bottom for extended periods, often in groups. It is primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to hunt fish, crustaceans, mollusks and sea urchins, which it captures with a powerful suction feeding technique that can pull prey directly out of crevices. Generally docile and non-aggressive toward humans unless provoked or handled, the nurse shark is a popular species for divers to observe up close, and while some regional populations face pressure from fishing and habitat loss, it remains relatively common across much of its range.