Nurse Shark

ocean · sharks · seafloor hunters

Flat-headed hunters. Nurse sharks have a flattened body shape that makes them perfectly adapted to living and hunting on the sandy or rocky ocean floor. This flat design helps them squeeze into tight spaces to find hidden prey.

Barbels for sensing. These sharks have two barbels, which are whisker-like sensory organs hanging from their mouth. They use these barbels to detect prey buried in the sand or hiding in crevices.

Tropical home. Nurse sharks live in warm waters around the equator, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indo-Pacific region. They prefer shallow coastal areas where they can explore the seafloor.

In danger. Nurse sharks are now considered vulnerable because fishing has reduced their numbers significantly. People catch them both on purpose and accidentally in nets meant for other fish.

Bottom feeders. Nurse sharks eat mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish they find on the ocean floor. They use their suction-like mouth to pull prey out of hiding spots.