FamilyGinglymostomatidaeAlso known asAtlantic Nurse SharkDescriptionThe nurse shark is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling shark with a broad, rounded snout and small eyes. It is typically tan to grayish-brown in color and possesses distinctive gill slits visible along the sides of its head. Nurse sharks are nocturnal predators that feed on fish, invertebrates, and crustaceans using strong suction feeding.HabitatFound in shallow coastal waters, coral reefs, and sandy flats from 1–75 meters depth. Ranges throughout the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and from Rhode Island to Brazil, as well as parts of the eastern Pacific.Conservation statusVulnerableNotesExtreme close-up of the head region, clearly showing the small eye with its characteristic slit pupil and nictitating membrane, the textured denticle-covered skin, gill slits visible along the right side, and the blunt rounded snout. The image quality is excellent with good detail. The dark shadow/marking visible behind the eye is likely the spiracle.Creatures detected6 in frame- Nurse Sharkfish
- nurse shark eye with nictitating membranefish
- nurse shark gill slitsfish
- nurse shark spiraclefish
- encrusting sponge (orange)invertebrate
- encrusting coralline algaeplant_algae
