Characteristics and Behavior:

The nurse shark is a medium-sized, bottom-dwelling shark with a rounded snout and barbels (whisker-like sensory organs) on their nasal flaps. They have a uniform, brownish-gray or yellowish-brown coloration and lack prominent markings or spots. Nurse Sharks are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night, but can often be seen resting on the ocean floor or cuddling with other nurse sharks during the day.

Habitat:

• Nurse sharks are found in warm and tropical waters, inhabiting the Western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
• Their preferred habitat includes shallow, nearshore environments, coral reefs, rocky ledges, and mangrove areas, often at depths ranging from 10 to 250 feet.
• Nurse sharks are common in the coastal waters of Florida, particularly in the Florida Keys, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Lifecycle:

• Nurse sharks can live for over 25 years, with some individuals exceeding 30 years of age.
• They reach sexual maturity at around 10 to 15 years of age, and females typically give birth to 20 to 30 live pups every 2 years.
• Nurse sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning the embryos develop inside the mother's body, and she gives birth to fully-formed pups.

Fun Facts:

1. Peaceful Predators: Nurse sharks are generally considered docile and non-aggressive toward humans. They are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming small fish, crustaceans, and invertebrates.
2. Nursing Behavior: The name "nurse shark" is derived from their feeding behavior. They create a strong suction by opening and closing their mouths to draw in prey from crevices and the sea floor, resembling a nursing action.
3. Rasping Teeth: Nurse sharks have small, numerous teeth used for grasping and grinding prey. Their teeth are adapted for crushing the shells of crustaceans, making them proficient scavengers.

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