Copyright © 2020 Welcome To SharkSider.com!. These dorsal fins are much more rounded than they are in other species of shark and this fact along with the length of the tail fin can help significantly in shark species identification. A human fear of sharks is not without reason, but it just so happens that nurse sharks are laid-back and mostly harmless. They arent aggressive towar… Usually when they encounter a human they will swim away, rather than investigate. Reproduction in the nurse shark is a particularly interesting process and is referred to by biologists as aplacental viviparity. but I am sure that you are not aware of the different types of sharks and how dangerous they can be. ‘Carpet shark’ is the common name for the group of 39 Orectolobiformes sharks. Have you ever seen or swam with a nurse shark? Updated: March 15, 2016 Fish The nurse shark is something of a large shark and while they more commonly grow to be anywhere from 7 1/2 feet to 9 3/4 feet long, some individuals in the species have been seen as large as 14 feet long. Nurse sharks are a bottom dwelling species of shark that humans often don’t give a second thought. nurse sharks are very friendly and have no reason to attack you unless u go stabbing at it's eyeballs. Donating a fully grown nurse shark to a local aquarium is also not a particularly feasible solution as most aquariums already have an established shark population and are unable to take on new individuals with their limited resources and financial support. The body is rather stout and the head is particularly wide with barbells that can be seen well. Sand tiger sharks, Carcharias taurus, also known as grey nurse shark, spotted ragged tooth shark, or blue-nurse sand tiger, are generally not a threat to humans. North American nurse sharks have been known to be rather irritable and can deliver a nasty bite when annoyed. Each tooth is built-in a fan-shaped structure with a number of serrated ridges. The usual mating season for the nurse shark is from the end of June to the end of July and the gestation process takes approximately six months in order for the nurse shark pups to develop fully. Bamboo Sharks are so docile, they have been noted to let divers stroke and pet them. Even though they are ferocious predators, there have been extremely few cases of Nurse Sharks ever attacking humans and even when they did, it was when they were directly antagonized and provoked. Their jaws are also super strong with thousands of tiny but extremely sharp teeth. The nurse shark won’t hesitate to give a defensive bite though and at as long as 14 feet they can leave a significant wound behind. The only times they have ever attacked humans is when they have been directly antagonized and are protecting themselves. Despite their size most nurse sharks are recognized as being harmless to humans but with such large tooth filled jaws these sharks can cause a significant amount of damage if they do bite a human. Though impressive hunters, Bamboo Sharks have never attacked humans. Nurse Sharks are the couch potatoes of the ocean. Amy's personal interest in writing was sparked by her love of reading fiction and her creative writing hobby. NURSE SHARK. Underwater model Irina Britanova, 27, tailed tawny nurse sharks … The nurse shark is one of the biggest predators that our oceans will ever see and this is crucial to the health of the ocean marine life. Though they are ferocious predators, they mainly just hang out along the bottom of the ocean in shallow waters and wait for prey. The downside is that the nurse shark's small mouth is attached to a large pharynx that enables it to suck up food and latch onto it. The only time an Angel Shark has been known to attack is when they’ve been stepped on. Nurse sharks are one species of shark that tend to be able to thrive in a commercial aquarium setting where many other shark species have been noted for their inability to thrive in captivity. As mentioned previously attacks upon humans by nurse sharks are particularly unlikely; although in the past a handful of unprovoked attacks have been noted. The skin of the nurse shark is not the only part that is utilized commercially; the flesh and liver are also used. To date, there are no documented cases of a Goblin Shark ever attacking a human. Many people believe that all sharks species are a huge threat to people. While the nurse shark is classified as being a particularly docile species of shark they are also active nocturnal hunters that tend to take advantage of dormant fish who are not prepared for attack during the night. Between Hollywood movies like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea and television events like Shark Week, there’s a cultural myth that all sharks are a threat to humans. That is why many divers and snorkelers visit the Bahamas to swim with sharks. Information About Sharks, For Shark Lovers, Sharks Of The World Have Added Some Strange Items To Their Diet, Blue Shark Facts That Will Not Make You Blue, 5 Interesting Locations That Different Types Of Sharks Have Been Found. The family name Ginglymostomatidae is of Greek origin and also characterizes these sharks as having a hinge-like mouth with “gynglimos” meaning hinge and “stoma” meaning mouth. They have acquired this unique colloquial name as many species resemble ornately patterned carpets. They have powerful retractable jaws, lined with sharp teeth, that jut out and quickly snag their prey. Be warned though, they grow to be huge. These ten species of shark are just some of the 440 different species that roam our oceans. In the wild, Thresher Sharks are extremely shy around humans, preferring to steer clear of them. The Ginglymostomatidae family of sharks are characterized for their habit of living and feeding on the bottom of the ocean floor, hence the term “carpet sharks.” Sharks within this family are recognized not only for their bottom dwelling habits but also for their sluggish and docile nature. Were the nurse shark species to become extinct the smaller marine life that these sharks feed upon would soon begin to grow out of control and put other species in danger as they succumbed to large populations of these creatures. Nurse Sharks are a wonderful, docile species that are nicknamed the “couch potatoes of the ocean.” They are a favorite shark among divers to swim and snorkel with because you can get up close to them and still be very safe. When she is not working Amy can be found curled up with a good book and her black Labrador, Jet. One perfect example of this is the reefs that many smaller marine organisms feed on, if these smaller organisms are left unchecked by nurse shark populations, they can quickly decimate reefs of the ocean – something that will affect ocean life as we know it. They are also one of the most social sharks of the ocean and tend to spend time in groups just lounging on the ocean floor. The nurse shark utilizes these “barbells” for both sensing touch and taste as they hunt along the ocean floor. They are often found just above the sea bed or in deep, sandy-bottomed gutters or rocky caves, such those around Broughton Island or Tomaree headland. No, they are not an aggressive species. Ginglymostomatidae sharks are found most commonly in tropical and subtropical waters due to their preference for warmer waters, and more often than not they are found in shallower areas of the ocean. Like This Article? The average nurse shark mother gives birth to around 20 to 30 pups in a single birthing session. In many cases these unprovoked attacks have elements that could explain the attack as being self-defense since often they take place at diving sites where sharks may see foreign invaders as a threat. Nurse sharks are typically harmless to humans. 4 Comments. Model swims NAKED with sharks to prove the creatures are not dangerous to humans Warning: Graphic content. As the waters become colder, the nurse shark simply becomes less active requiring less energy to function. Nurse Sharks are a great shark for new divers and snorkelers to swim with because they present no threat to humans. So while the nurse shark may not yet be an endangered species, it is our responsibility to ensure that overfishing and fear of these creatures does not lead to its eradication. Nurse sharks are easily identified by the small mouth located forward of the eyes and just under the broad snout. The long and short of it is that unless you have a commercial sized aquarium and a budget large enough to keep a nurse shark fed healthily through its potentially 25 year long captive lifespan, this is not the “pet” for you. While adult nurse sharks can be found in depths of up to 250 feet, juvenile nurse sharks, like this growing guy, tend to stick to shallower water, frequently keeping themselves hidden in coral reefs. But they “have very strong jaws filled with thousands of tiny, serrated teeth, and will bite defensively if stepped on or bothered by divers who assume they’re docile.” The nurse shark pups resemble the fully grown nurse sharks with the exception of, of course, their size. Otherwise, even though they are incredibly prolific, they are not aggressive. Do nurse sharks bite humans? The teeth are arranged in rows and as one tooth breaks or is lost during a struggle, a fight or during feeding, another of the teeth rotates in to take its place. Model swims NAKED with sharks to prove the creatures are not dangerous to humans Warning: Graphic content. These bottom dwellers many swim along the ocean floor hunting crabs and small fish. The nurse shark is a member of the genus Ginglymostoma. Nurse sharks are officially capable of reproduction at some point between the ages of 15 to 20 years old and much like with humans, this age varies from individual to individual. As the eggs develop within the female nurse shark they eventually hatch and the mother gives birth to small live nurse sharks. Even then, there’s only been 5 Nurse Shark attacks and all have been non-fatal. “Nurse sharks have smoother skin than most sharks. Greenland Sharks are a variety of Sleeper Shark, so they also swim at a very slow pace of 0.76 mph (0.3 m/s). Nurses are a part of a helping profession that we rely upon for our own health and safety, and yet when this term is mentioned in reference to a shark this is definitely not the image that is conjured up. Selling a nurse shark poses difficulty in that there are few saltwater aquarium owners who have the resources to take on such a large shark. So considering how many opportunities they have to attack humans, Leopard Sharks present zero threat to people. One can go near a resting individual without much fear. Angel Sharks are found along the coast of every continent in the world, hunting just underneath the sandy surface. The jaws are particularly powerful and in an undisturbed habitat they are utilized to crush shellfish and coral and shred squid, shrimp and fish. The only times they have ever attacked humans is when they have been directly antagonized and are protecting themselves. Nurse sharks are one species of shark that tend to be able to thrive in a commercial aquarium setting where many other shark species have been noted for their inability to thrive in captivity. Nurse Sharks are a wonderful, docile species that are nicknamed the “couch potatoes of the ocean.” They are a favorite shark among divers to swim and snorkel with because you can get up close to them and still be very safe. Whale Sharks are filter feeders, so like Whales they just eat zooplankton. Photo: Thomas Males. Like any other animal that is raised in captivity, nurse sharks are unable to adapt to life in the wild because of a lack of the skills demanded to survive. Disclaimer: This website contains reviews, opinions and information regarding products and services manufactured or provided by third parties. The great white shark, also known as the "white pointer," is the largest and deadliest predatory shark of the ocean.. The natural territory of these sharks is the Western Atlantic Ocean running from Rhode Island down to South Brazil and the Eastern Atlantic from Cameron to Gabon. Most Dangerous Sharks They are bottom dwelling, slow moving, and mainly hunt smaller food. Let’s learn about them. Sand Tiger Sharks are another non-threatening shark species. 6. Nurse Sharks are a great shark for new divers and snorkelers to swim with because they present no threat to humans. Fortunately, even in the rare instances when a nurse shark does attack a human -- so far, 52 times, with no recorded fatalities -- the bite isn't powerful enough to be lethal [source: International Shark Attack File]. So they do not hunt and kill prey the way some other species of sharks do. There are a number of problems that occur when this species is kept in a personal saltwater aquarium however, the largest of which being the size of the shark once it has matured. Those who live in areas where the nurse shark inhabits the waters are generally familiar and on the lookout for the species but for those unfamiliar with the shark accidental interactions are more likely. Children interacting with nurse sharks in Staniel Cay marina. Sign Up for More Earth-Friendly Tips and Advice! The individual tooth structure of the nurse shark is particularly interesting but also particularly damaging. A newborn nurse shark measures in at approximately 12 inches long. Where many species of shark are fished intentionally, there is not a particularly wide trade for commercially fishing the nurse shark. The nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, on the other hand, can be quite the asshole if threatened. The mouth is bracketed by two sensory barbels. When it comes to feeding, the nurse shark is limited by the size of its mouth and as such it cannot take in large prey items due to the risk of them becoming lodged in the mouth. Written by Smrutica Jithendranath - Marine Biologist, Reethi Faru Resort, the Maldives. Younger nurse sharks often can be recognized from small spots on their skin. (For licensing or usage, contact licensing@viralhog.com) My husband and are in the Caribbean on our honeymoon. Though there are sharks like Tiger Sharks, Bull Sharks, and Great White Sharks that tend to be more aggressive toward humans, even these sharks do not really present much of a threat. They also live in large groups that can have up to 40 members. Image Source: Wikimedia. Nurse Shark One of the better known species of shark, nurse sharks are usually the first species that comes to mind when people think of non-aggressive sharks. Where many other sharks possess a sandpaper like texture to their skin, the smooth texture of the nurse shark gives it a leather like quality that is utilized in the textiles industry. Unlike some other oceanic creatures, the nurse shark is able to remain stationary and continue to breathe underwater by sucking water in through the mouth and releasing it out of their gills. This system of replaceable teeth ensures that the nurse shark does not starve due to tooth loss which is a common occurrence even for a shark that prefers to feed on smaller fish and crustaceans. Photo: Thomas Males. 6. There are a number of uses for the nurse shark when fished locally but one of the most common is the unique skin of this shark. Nurse sharks are slow-moving, bottom-dwellers of the ocean who relatively harmless to humans. Nurse shark behavior differs, depending on where in the world they are. A nurse shark can be dangerous if you try to catch it with bare hands. The thing that swimers and divers should notice is that nurse sharks … So why is the nurse shark called a nurse shark? During the day, while most fish are active shoals of nurse sharks can be found hidden under ledges or in ocean crevices where they can rest peacefully during daylight hours. All sharks are actually very friendly and do not attack humans. Our review process. Currently the conservation status of the nurse shark is unknown because there is an insufficiency of data available to determine whether these sharks are at risk for extinction. In general there are thousands of these individual teeth within the shark’s mouth and these teeth are replaceable. The nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, on the other hand, can be quite the asshole if threatened. There are three species of Sand Tiger Sharks and even within this diversity, they have never been known to attack a human. Even though they are ferocious predators, there have been extremely few cases of Nurse Sharks ever attacking humans and even when they did, it was when they were directly antagonized and provoked.
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