Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, head broad, blunt, short; color yellow to yellowish green to reddish brown on back, yellowish on belly, may have dark spots or saddles (more apparent in juveniles); last 2 gill slits behind origin of pectoral fin and very close together; long barbel on each nostril, nostrils connected to mouth by nasal grooves; mouth close to tip of snout, well in front of eyes; eyes small, behind mouth; teeth small, conical, with multiple cusps, largest in center; 2 dorsal fins set far back on body, origin of 1st above the pectoral fin, 2nd dorsal slightly smaller than 1st; all fins with rounded tips; caudal fin long, low, narrow, only slightly extended lower lobe. |
Similar Species |
The long barbels on the nostrils help distinguish nurse sharks from other sharks. Also the 2 close set posterior gill slits, the 2 dorsals fins set far back on the body, the 2nd slightly smaller than 1st and the lack of a well developed lower lobe on the caudal fin separate this species from others. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, bottom dwellers |
Maximum Size |
430 cm (14 ft), common to 340 (11 ft) |
Fin Element Counts |
none (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
Minimum size 64 in.; bag limit is 1 shark/day, including sharpnose, blacktips, bonnetheads, and all other allowable shark species; See Shark Regulations; Check for state record. |