# Nurse shark

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Elasmobranch fish in the family Ginglymostomatidae

Not to be confused with [grey nurse shark](/source/Grey_nurse_shark) or [tawny nurse shark](/source/Tawny_nurse_shark).

Nurse shark Temporal range: 112–0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Albian to Present[1] At Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Sapelo Island, Georgia Conservation status Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)[2] Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Subclass: Elasmobranchii Division: Selachii Order: Orectolobiformes Family: Ginglymostomatidae Genus: Ginglymostoma Species: G. cirratum Binomial name Ginglymostoma cirratum (Bonnaterre, 1788) Range in blue

A nurse shark at the Davis Reef Sanctuary Preservation area, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

The **nurse shark** (***Ginglymostoma cirratum***) is an [elasmobranch fish](/source/Elasmobranchii) in the family [Ginglymostomatidae](/source/Ginglymostomatidae). The [conservation status](/source/Conservation_status) of the nurse shark is globally assessed as [vulnerable](/source/Vulnerable_species) in the [IUCN List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List).[2] They are considered to be a species of least concern in the United States and in [The Bahamas](/source/The_Bahamas), but considered to be near threatened in the western Atlantic Ocean because of their vulnerable status in South America and reported threats throughout many areas of Central America and the Caribbean.[2] They are directly targeted in some fisheries and considered by-catch in others.

Nurse sharks are an important species for shark research.[3] They are robust and able to tolerate capture, handling, and tagging extremely well.[4]

## Taxonomy and name

The nurse shark genus *Ginglymostoma* is derived from [Greek language](/source/Greek_language) meaning hinged mouth, whereas the species *cirratum* is derived from [Latin](/source/Latin) meaning having curled ringlets. Based on [morphological](/source/Morphology_(biology)) similarities, *Ginglymostoma* is believed to be the sister genus of *[Nebrius](/source/Nebrius)*, with both being placed in a [clade](/source/Clade) that also include species *[Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum](/source/Pseudoginglymostoma_brevicaudatum)*, *[Rhincodon typus](/source/Rhincodon_typus)*, and *[Stegostoma fasciatum](/source/Stegostoma_fasciatum)*.[5]

The name "nurse" may have originated from antiquated spelling conventions. The *[Oxford English Dictionary](/source/Oxford_English_Dictionary)* notes that in [medieval](/source/Medieval) times, the "n" of the word "an" was frequently [transferred to a following word that began with a vowel](/source/Rebracketing). Huss, husse, and hurse were antiquated names for [dogfish](/source/Squalidae) and other sharks.

Another possibility is noted by Lineaweaver and Backus in *The Natural History of Sharks*, which posits instead that the name comes from the fact that the nurse shark is [ovoviviparous](/source/Ovoviviparous).

"Possibly, some bygone observer watched a shark giving birth to live young and thought the shark was giving nurse."[6]

## Description

The nurse shark has two rounded dorsal fins, rounded pectoral fins, an elongated caudal fin, and a broad head.[7] Maximum adult length is currently documented as 3.08 m (10 ft 1+1⁄2 in), whereas past reports of 4.5 m (15 ft) and corresponding weights of up to 330 kg (730 lb) are likely to have been exaggerated.[2] Adult nurse sharks are brownish in color. Newborn nurse sharks have a spotted coloration, which fades with age, and are about 30 cm in length when nascent.

		- Head

		- Mouth

		- Jaws

		- Teeth

Nurse shark swimming

Nurse shark turning

Nurse shark swims near boat

## Distribution and habitat

The nurse shark has a wide but patchy geographical distribution along tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic, and Eastern Pacific.[8] In the Eastern Atlantic, it ranges from [Cape Verde](/source/Cape_Verde) to [Gabon](/source/Gabon) (accidental north to France).[2] In the Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean, it ranges from [Rhode Island](/source/Rhode_Island) to southern [Brazil](/source/Brazil),[9] and in the Eastern Pacific from [Baja California](/source/Baja_California) to [Peru](/source/Peru).[2]

Nurse sharks are a typically inshore, bottom-dwelling species. Juveniles are mostly found on the bottom of shallow coral reefs, seagrass flats, and around mangrove islands, whereas older individuals typically reside in and around deeper reefs and rocky areas, where they tend to seek shelter in crevices and under ledges during the day and leave their shelter at night to feed on the seabed in shallower areas.[10]

Nurse sharks are also subject to [piebaldism](/source/Piebaldism), a genetic condition that results in a partial lack of body pigmentation and a speckled body.[11]

## Biology and ecology

Nurse sharks are opportunistic predators that feed primarily on small fish (e.g. [stingrays](/source/Stingray), [teleosts](/source/Teleost)) and some invertebrates (e.g. [crustaceans](/source/Crustaceans), [molluscs](/source/Molluscs), [sea urchins](/source/Sea_urchin), [tunicates](/source/Tunicates), and [anthozoans](/source/Anthozoa)), as well as [algae](/source/Alga).[10][12] They are typically solitary [nocturnal](/source/Nocturnal) animals, rifling through bottom sediments in search of food at night, but are often gregarious during the day forming large sedentary groups. Nurse sharks are [obligate suction feeders](/source/Suction_feeder) capable of generating [suction forces](/source/Suction) that are among the highest recorded for any aquatic vertebrate to date.[13][14] Although their small mouths may limit the size of prey, they can exhibit a suck-and-spit behavior and/or shake their head violently to reduce the size of food items.[15]

Nurse sharks are exceptionally [sedentary](/source/Sedentary), unlike most other shark species.[16] Nurse sharks show strong [site fidelity](/source/Site_fidelity) (typical of reef sharks) and are one of the few shark species known to exhibit [mating-site fidelity](/source/Fidelity#Scientific_modelling_and_simulation),[17] as they will return to the same breeding grounds time and time again.

[American alligators](/source/American_alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) and [American crocodiles](/source/American_crocodile) (*Crocodylus acutus*) may occasionally prey on nurse sharks in some coastal habitats. Photographic evidence and historical accounts suggest that encounters between species are commonplace in their shared habitats.[18][19]

## Reproduction

Nurse sharks are [ovoviviparous](/source/Ovoviviparity), with fertilized eggs hatching inside the female. The mating cycle of nurse sharks is biennial, with females taking up to 18 months to produce a new batch of eggs. The mating season runs from late June to the end of July, with a [gestation](/source/Gestation) period of six months and a typical litter of 21–29 pups.[9] The young are born fully developed at about 30 cm long.

Nurse sharks engage in multiple paternity during mating season. A study conducted over a 10-year span found that a brood of nurse sharks had more genotypes than broods with one father. Fourteen separate genotypes were found in the brood examined, which suggests that more than one father fertilized the mother's eggs. Engagement in multiple paternity promotes genetic variation.[20]

## See also

- [Sharks portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Sharks)

- [List of sharks](/source/List_of_sharks)

- [List of prehistoric cartilaginous fish](/source/List_of_prehistoric_cartilaginous_fish)

- [Great white shark](/source/Great_white_shark)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Sepkoski, J. (2002). ["A compendium of fossil marine animal genera (Chondrichthyes entry)"](http://strata.geology.wisc.edu/jack/showgenera.php?taxon=575&rank=class). *Bulletins of American Paleontology*. **364**: 560.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-iucn_status_18_November_2021_2-5) Carlson, J.; Charvet, P.; Blanco-Parra, MP; Briones Bell-lloch, A.; Cardenosa, D.; Derrick, D.; Espinoza, E.; Herman, K.; Morales-Saldaña, J.M.; Naranjo-Elizondo, B.; Pérez Jiménez, J.C.; Schneider, E.V.C.; Simpson, N.J.; Talwar, B.S.; Pollom, R.; Pacoureau, N.; Dulvy, N.K. (2021). ["*Ginglymostoma cirratum*"](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/144141186/3095153). *[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species](/source/IUCN_Red_List)*. **2021** e.T144141186A3095153. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T144141186A3095153.en](https://doi.org/10.2305%2FIUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T144141186A3095153.en). Retrieved 18 November 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Osgood_3-0)** Osgood, G. J and J. K. Baum. (2015). "Reef sharks: recent advances in ecological understanding to inform conservation". *Journal of Fisheries Biology*. **87** (6): 1489–1523. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2015JFBio..87.1489O](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015JFBio..87.1489O). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/jfb.12839](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fjfb.12839). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [26709218](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26709218).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Aucoin_4-0)** Aucoin, S.; Weege, S.; Toebee, M.; Guertin, J.; Gorham, J.; Bresette, M. (2017). ["A new underwater shark capture method used by divers to catch and release nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum)"](https://doi.org/10.7755%2FFB.115.4.5). *Fishery Bulletin*. **115** (4): 484–495. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.7755/FB.115.4.5](https://doi.org/10.7755%2FFB.115.4.5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-goto_5-0)** Goto, T. (2001). ["Comparative Anatomy, Phylogeny and Cladistic Classification of the Order Orectolobiformes (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii)"](http://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/handle/2115/22014). *Memoirs of the Graduate School of Fisheries Science, Hokkaido University*. **48** (1): 1–101.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Where did "Nurse" shark come from?"](http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/topics/ng_nurse_name.htm).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-McEachran_Fechhelm_1998_7-0)** McEachran, J.; Fechhelm, J.D. (1998). [*Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, Vol. 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes*](https://books.google.com/books?id=lAgyDQAAQBAJ). Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 45. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-292-75206-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-292-75206-1). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [38468784](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/38468784). Retrieved 13 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Compagno, L.J.V. (2002). [*Bullhead, mackerel and carpet sharks (Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes and Orectolobiformes). Family Ginglymostomatidae. In: Sharks of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date, vol. 2*](http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/x9293e/x9293e00.HTM). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. pp. 188–195.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FAO_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FAO_9-1) Compagno, L.J.V. (1984). [*Sharks of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date*](http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/x9293e/x9293e00.htm). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. pp. 205–207, 555–561, 588.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Castro_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Castro_10-1) Castro, J. I. (2000). "The biology of the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, off the Florida east coast and the Bahama Islands)". *Environmental Biology of Fishes*. **58** (1): 1–22. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2000EnvBF..58....1C](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2000EnvBF..58....1C). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1023/A:1007698017645](https://doi.org/10.1023%2FA%3A1007698017645). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [32772305](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:32772305).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Piebald nurse shark with incredible speckled skin may be first on record | Sharks | Earth Touch News"](https://www.earthtouchnews.com/oceans/sharks/piebald-nurse-shark-with-incredible-speckled-skin-may-be-first-on-record). *Earth Touch News Network*. Retrieved 2023-03-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-animaldiversity.org_12-0)** ["ADW: Ginglymostoma cirratum: INFORMATION"](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ginglymostoma_cirratum/). *[Animal Diversity Web](/source/Animal_Diversity_Web)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Tanaka_13-0)** Tanaka, S. K. (1973). "Suction feeding by the nurse shark". *Copeia*. **1973** (3): 606–608. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/1443135](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F1443135). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [1443135](https://www.jstor.org/stable/1443135).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Motta1_14-0)** Motta, P. J., Hueter, R. E., Tricas, T. C., Summers, A. P., Huber, D. R., Lowry, D., Mara, K. R., Matott, M. P., Whitenack, L. B., Wintzer, A.P. (2008). ["Functional morphology of the feeding apparatus, feeding constraints, and suction performance in the nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum"](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fjmor.10626). *Journal of Morphology*. **269** (9): 1041–1055. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/jmor.10626](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fjmor.10626). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [18473370](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18473370). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [15066259](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:15066259).{{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Motta_15-0)** Motta, P. J. (2004). *Prey capture behavior and feeding mechanics of elasmobranchs. In Biology of sharks and their relatives*. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. pp. 165–202.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Heithaus_16-0)** Heithaus, M.R., Burkholder, D., Hueter, R. E., Heithaus, L. I., Prat Jr. H. L., Carrier, J. C. (2004). *Reproductive biology of elasmobranchs. In: Biology of sharks and their relatives*. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. pp. 269–286.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Carrier_17-0)** Carrier, J. C., Pratt, H. L., Castro, J. I. (2004). "Spatial and temporal variation in shark communities of the lower Florida Keys and evidence for historical population declines". *Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences*. **64** (10): 1302–1313. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1139/f07-098](https://doi.org/10.1139%2Ff07-098).{{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Jason Bittel (20 September 2017). ["Alligators Attack and Eat Sharks, Study Confirms"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170920232103/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/09/american-alligator-sharks-predators-stingrays/). *National Geographic*. Archived from [the original](http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/09/american-alligator-sharks-predators-stingrays/) on September 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Nifong, James C.; Lowers, Russell H. (2017). "Reciprocal Intraguild Predation between *Alligator mississippiensis* (American Alligator) and Elasmobranchii in the Southeastern United States". *Southeastern Naturalist*. **16** (3): 383–396. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1656/058.016.0306](https://doi.org/10.1656%2F058.016.0306). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [90288005](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:90288005).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Saville, Kenneth J.; Lindley, Andrea M.; Maries, Eleanora G.; Carrier, Jeffrey C.; Pratt, Harold L. (2002-03-01). "Multiple Paternity in the Nurse Shark, Ginglymostoma Cirratum". *Environmental Biology of Fishes*. **63** (3): 347–351. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2002EnvBF..63..347S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2002EnvBF..63..347S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1023/A:1014369011709](https://doi.org/10.1023%2FA%3A1014369011709). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1573-5133](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1573-5133). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [22777142](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:22777142).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Ginglymostoma cirratum](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ginglymostoma_cirratum).

- Photos of [Ginglymostoma cirratum](https://sealifecollection.org/taxon/105846) in the Sealife Collection

v t e Extant shark species Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Chondrichthyes Subclass Elasmobranchii Division Selachii Order Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks) Hemigaleidae (Weasel sharks) Hemipristis Snaggletooth shark (H. elongata) Chaenogaleus Hooktooth shark (C. macrostoma) Hemigaleus Australian weasel shark (H. australiensis) Sicklefin weasel shark (H. microstoma) Paragaleus Whitetip weasel shark (P. leucolomatus) Atlantic weasel shark (P. pectoralis) Slender weasel shark (P. randalli) Straight-tooth weasel shark (P. tengi) Leptochariidae Leptocharias Barbeled houndshark (L. smithii) Proscylliidae (Finback sharks) Ctenacis Harlequin catshark (C. fehlmanni) Eridacnis Cuban ribbontail catshark (E. barbouri) Pygmy ribbontail catshark (E. radcliffei) African ribbontail catshark (E. sinuans) Proscyllium Graceful catshark (P. habereri) P. venustum Pseudotriakidae Gollum Slender smooth-hound (G. attenuatus) Pseudotriakis False catshark (P. microdon) Sphyrnidae (Hammerhead sharks) Eusphyra Winghead shark (E. blochii) Sphyrna Scalloped bonnethead (S. corona) Whitefin hammerhead (S. couardi) Scalloped hammerhead (S. lewini) Scoophead (S. media) Great hammerhead (S. mokarran) Bonnethead (S. tiburo) Smalleye hammerhead (S. tudes) Smooth hammerhead (S. zygaena) Triakidae (Houndsharks) Furgaleus Whiskery shark (F. macki) Galeorhinus School shark (G. galeus) Gogolia Sailback houndshark (G. filewoodi) Hemitriakis Deepwater sicklefin hound shark (H. abdita) Sicklefin hound shark (H. falcata) Japanese topeshark (H. japanica) Whitefin topeshark (H. leucoperiptera) Ocellate topeshark (Hemitriakis Sp.A) Hypogaleus Blacktip tope (H. hyugaensis) Iago Longnose houndshark (I. garricki) Bigeye houndshark (I. omanensis) Lowfin houndshark (Iago Sp.A) Mustelus (Smooth-hounds) M. albipinnis Gummy shark (M. antarcticus) Starry smooth-hound (M. asterias) Gray smooth-hound (M. californicus) Dusky smooth-hound (M. canis) Sharptooth smooth-hound (M. dorsalis) Striped smooth-hound (M. fasciatus) Spotless smooth-hound (M. griseus) Brown smooth-hound (M. henlei) Smalleye smooth-hound (M. higmani) Spotted estuary smooth-hound (M. lenticulatus) Sicklefin smooth-hound (M. lunulatus) Starspotted smooth-hound (M. manazo) Speckled smooth-hound (M. mento) M. minicanis Arabian smooth-hound (M. mosis) Common smooth-hound (M. mustelus) Narrowfin smooth-hound (M. norrisi) Whitespotted smooth-hound (M. palumbes) Blackspotted smooth-hound (M. punctulatus) M. ravidus Narrownose smooth-hound (M. schmitti) Gulf smoothhound (M. sinusmexicanus) Humpback smooth-hound (M. whitneyi) M. widodoi Scylliogaleus Flapnose houndshark (S. quecketti) Triakis Sharpfin houndshark (T. acutipinna) Spotted houndshark (T. maculata) Sharptooth houndshark (T. megalopterus) Banded houndshark (T. scyllium) Leopard shark (T. semifasciata) Carcharhinidae Large family listed below Scyliorhinidae Large family listed below Family Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks) Carcharhinus Blacknose shark (C. acronotus) Silvertip shark (C. albimarginatus) Bignose shark (C. altimus) Graceful shark (C. amblyrhynchoides) Grey reef shark (C. amblyrhynchos) Pigeye shark (C. amboinensis) Borneo shark (C. borneensis) Copper shark (C. brachyurus) Spinner shark (C. brevipinna) Nervous shark (C. cautus) Whitecheek shark (C. dussumieri) Silky shark (C. falciformis) Creek whaler (C. fitzroyensis) Galapagos shark (C. galapagenisis) Pondicherry shark (C. hemiodon) Finetooth shark (C. isodon) Smoothtooth blacktip shark (C. leiodon) Bull shark (C. leucas) Blacktip shark (C. limbatus) Oceanic whitetip shark (C. longimanus) Hardnose shark (C. macloti) Blacktip reef shark (C. melanopterus) Dusky shark (C. obscurus) Caribbean reef shark (C. perezii) Sandbar shark (C. plumbeus) Smalltail shark (C. porosus) Blackspot shark (C. sealei) Night shark (C. signatus) Spottail shark (C. sorrah) Australian blacktip shark (C. tilstoni) Galeocerdo Tiger shark (G. cuvier) Glyphis (River sharks) Ganges shark (G. gangeticus) Northern river shark (G. garricki) Speartooth shark (G. glyphis) Irrawaddy river shark (G. siamensis) Borneo river shark (Glyphis sp. B) Isogomphodon Daggernose shark (I. oxyrhynchus) Lamiopsis Broadfin shark (L. temminckii) Loxodon Sliteye shark (L. macrorhinus) Nasolamia Whitenose shark (N. velox) Negaprion Sicklefin lemon shark (N. acutidens) Lemon shark (N. brevirostris) Prionace Blue shark (P. glauca) Rhizoprionodon Milk shark (R. acutus) Brazilian sharpnose shark (R. lalandii) Pacific sharpnose shark (R. longurio) Grey sharpnose shark (R. oligolinx) Caribbean sharpnose shark (R. porosus) Australian sharpnose shark (R. taylori) Atlantic sharpnose shark (R. terraenovae) Scoliodon Spadenose shark (S. laticaudus) Triaenodon Whitetip reef shark (T. obesus) Family Scyliorhinidae (Catsharks) Apristurus Flatnose cat shark (A. acanutus) A. albisoma A. aphyodes Atlantic ghost catshark (A. atlanticus) Brown catshark (A. brunneus) Hoary catshark (A. canutus) Flaccid catshark (A. exsanguis) A. fedorovi Humpback cat shark (A. gibbosus) Longfin catshark (A. herklotsi) Smallbelly catshark (A. indicus) A. internatus Broadnose catshark (A. investigatoris) Japanese catshark (A. japonicus) Longnose catshark (A. kampae) Iceland catshark (A. laurussonii) Longhead catshark (A. longicephalus) Flathead catshark (A. macrorhynchus) Broadmouth cat shark (A. macrostomus) Ghost catshark (A. manis) Black roughscale catshark (A. melanoasper) Smalleye catshark (A. microps) Smalldorsal cat shark (A. micropterygeus) Largenose catshark (A. nasutus) Smallfin catshark (A. parvipinnis) A. pinguis Spatulasnout catshark (A. platyrhynchus) Deepwater catshark (A. profundorum) Broadgill catshark (A. riveri) Saldanha catshark (A. saldanha) Pale catshark (A. sibogae) South China catshark (A. sinensis) Spongehead catshark (A. spongiceps) Panama ghost catshark (A. stenseni) Asymbolus Australian spotted catshark (A. analis) A. funebris Western spotted catshark (A. occiduus) Pale spotted catshark (A. pallidus) A. parvus A. rubiginosus Variegated catshark (A. submaculatus) Gulf catshark (A. vincenti) Atelomycterus A. baliensis Banded sand catshark (A. fasciatus) Australian marbled catshark (A. macleayi) Coral catshark (A. marmoratus) Aulohalaelurus New Caledonia catshark (A. kanakorum) Australian blackspotted catshark (A. labiosus) Cephaloscyllium Whitefin swellshark (C. albipinnum) Circle-blotch pygmy swellshark (C. circulopullum) Cook's swellshark (C. cooki) Reticulated swellshark (C. fasciatum) Formosa swellshark (C. formosanum) Australian reticulate swellshark (C. hicosellum) Draughtsboard shark (C. isabellum) Australian swellshark (C. laticeps) Spotted swellshark (C. maculatum) Leopard-spotted swellshark (C. pardelotum) Painted swellshark (C. pictum) Sarawak pygmy swellshark (C. sarawakensis) Flagtail swellshark (C. signourum) Indian swellshark (C. silasi) Speckled swellshark (C. speccum) Balloon shark (C. sufflans) Blotchy swellshark (C. umbratile) Saddled swellshark (C. variegatum) Swellshark (C. ventriosum) Narrowbar swellshark (C. zebrum) Cephalurus Lollipop catshark (C. cephalus) Figaro Australian sawtail catshark (F. boardmani) Northern sawtail catshark (F. striatus) Galeus Antilles catshark (G. antillensis) Roughtail catshark (G. arae) Atlantic sawtail cat shark (G. atlanticus) Longfin sawtail cat shark (G. cadenati) Gecko catshark (G. eastmani) Slender sawtail catshark (G. gracilis) Longnose sawtail cat shark (G. longirostris) Blackmouth catshark (G. melastomus) Southern sawtail catshark (G. mincaronei) Mouse catshark (G. murinus) Broadfin sawtail catshark (G. nipponensis) Peppered catshark (G. piperatus) African sawtail catshark (G. polli) G. priapus Blacktip sawtail catshark (G. sauteri) Dwarf sawtail catshark (G. schultzi) Springer's sawtail cat shark (G. springeri) Halaelurus Arabian catshark (H. alcockii) Speckled catshark (H. boesemani) Blackspotted catshark (H. buergeri) Dusky catshark (H. canescens) Broadhead cat shark (H. clevai) New Zealand catshark (H. dawsoni) Bristly catshark (H. hispidus) Spotless catshark (H. immaculatus) Lined catshark (H. lineatus) Mud catshark (H. lutarius) Tiger catshark (H. natalensis) Quagga catshark (H. quagga) Haploblepharus Puffadder shyshark (H. edwardsii) Brown shyshark (H. fuscus) Natal shyshark (H. kistnasamyi) Dark shyshark (H. pictus) Holohalaelurus H. favus H. grennian Crying izak (H. melanostigma) African spotted catshark (H. punctatus) Izak catshark (H. regani) Parmaturus White-tip catshark (P. albimarginatus) White-clasper catshark (P. albipenis) Beige catshark (P. bigus) Campeche catshark (P. campechiensis) Velvet catshark (P. lanatus) McMillan's catshark (P. macmillani) Blackgill catshark (P. melanobranchus) Salamander shark (P. pilosus) Filetail catshark (P. xaniurus) Shorttail catshark (Parmaturus sp. A) Pentanchus Onefin catshark (P. profundicolus) Poroderma Pyjama catshark (P. africanum) Leopard catshark (P. pantherinum) Schroederichthys Narrowmouthed catshark (S. bivius) Redspotted catshark (S. chilensis) Narrowtail catshark (S. maculatus) Lizard catshark (S. saurisqualus) Slender catshark (S. tenuis) Scyliorhinus Polkadot catshark (S. besnardi) Boa catshark (S. boa) Small-spotted catshark (S. canicula) Yellowspotted catshark (S. capensis) West African catshark (S. cervigoni) Comoro cat shark (S. comoroensis) Brownspotted catshark (S. garmani) Freckled catshark (S. haeckelii) Whitesaddled catshark (S. hesperius) Blotched catshark (S. meadi) Chain catshark (S. retifer) Nursehound (S. stellaris) Izu cat shark (S. tokubee) Cloudy catshark (S. torazame) Dwarf catshark (S. torrei) Order Echinorhiniformes (Bramble sharks) Echinorhinidae Echinorhinus Bramble shark (E. brucus) Prickly shark (E. cookei) Order Heterodontiformes (Bullhead sharks) Heterodontidae Heterodontus Horn shark (H. francisci) Crested bullhead shark (H. galeatus) Japanese bullhead shark (H. japonicus) Mexican hornshark (H. mexicanus) Oman bullhead shark (H. omanensis) Port Jackson shark (H. portusjacksoni) Galapagos bullhead shark (H. quoyi) Whitespotted bullhead shark (H. ramalheira) Zebra bullhead shark (H. zebra) Order Hexanchiformes Chlamydoselachidae Chlamydoselachus Frilled shark (C. anguineus) Southern African frilled shark (C. africana) Hexanchidae (Cow sharks) Heptranchias Sharpnose sevengill shark (H. perlo) Hexanchus Bluntnose sixgill shark (H. griseus) Bigeyed sixgill shark (H. nakamurai) Notorynchus Broadnose sevengill shark (N. cepedianus) Order Lamniformes (Mackerel sharks) Alopiidae Alopias (Thresher sharks) Pelagic thresher (A. pelagicus) Bigeye thresher (A. superciliosus) Common thresher (A. vulpinus) Alopias sp. (A. sp.) Cetorhinidae Cetorhinus Basking shark (C. maximus) Lamnidae Carcharodon Great white shark (C. carcharias) Isurus Shortfin mako shark (I. oxyrinchus) Longfin mako shark (I. paucus) Lamna Salmon shark (L. ditropis) Porbeagle (L. nasus) Megachasmidae Megachasma Megamouth shark (M. pelagios) Mitsukurinidae Mitsukurina Goblin shark (M. owstoni) Odontaspididae Carcharias Sand tiger shark (C. taurus) Odontaspis Smalltooth sand tiger (O. ferox) Bigeye sand tiger (O. noronhai) Pseudocarchariidae Pseudocarcharias Crocodile shark (P. kamoharai) Order Orectolobiformes (Carpet sharks) Brachaeluridae Brachaelurus Blind shark (B. waddi) Heteroscyllium Bluegrey carpetshark (H. colcloughi) Ginglymostomatidae (Nurse sharks) Ginglymostoma Nurse shark (G. cirratum) Nebrius Tawny nurse shark (N. ferrugineus) Pseudoginglymostoma Short-tail nurse shark (P. brevicaudatum) Hemiscylliidae (Bamboo sharks) Chiloscyllium Arabian carpetshark (C. arabicum) Burmese bamboo shark (C. burmensis) Bluespotted bamboo shark (C. caerulopunctatum) Grey bamboo shark (C. griseum) Hasselt's bamboo shark (C. hasseltii) Slender bamboo shark (C. indicum) Whitespotted bamboo shark (C. plagiosum) Brownbanded bamboo shark (C. punctatum) Hemiscyllium Indonesian speckled carpetshark (H. freycineti) H. galei Papuan epaulette shark (H. hallstromi) H. henryi Epaulette shark (H. ocellatum) Hooded carpetshark (H. strahani) Speckled carpetshark (H. trispeculare) Orectolobidae (Wobbegongs) Eucrossorhinus Tasselled wobbegong (E. dasypogon) Orectolobus Floral banded wobbegong (O. floridus) Banded wobbegong (O. halei) Western wobbegong (O. hutchinsi) Japanese wobbegong (O. japonicus) Spotted wobbegong (O. maculatus) Ornate wobbegong (O. ornatus) Dwarf spotted wobbegong (O. parvimaculatus) Network wobbegong (O. reticulatus) Northern wobbegong (O. wardi) Sutorectus Cobbler wobbegong (S. tentaculatus) Parascylliidae (Collared carpet sharks) Cirrhoscyllium Barbelthroat carpetshark (C. expolitum) Taiwan saddled carpetshark (C. formosanum) Saddle carpetshark (C. japonicum) Parascyllium Collared carpetshark (P. collare) Rusty carpetshark (P. ferrugineum) Ginger carpetshark (P. sparsimaculatum) Necklace carpetshark (P. variolatum) Rhincodontidae Rhincodon Whale shark (R. typus) Stegostomatidae Stegostoma Zebra shark (S. fasciatum) Order Pristiophoriformes (Sawsharks) Pristiophoridae Pliotrema Anna's sixgill sawshark (P. annae) Kaja's sixgill sawshark (P. kajae) Sixgill sawshark (P. warreni) Pristiophorus Longnose sawshark (P. cirratus) Tropical sawshark (P. delicatus) Japanese sawshark (P. japonicus) Philippine sawshark (P. lanae) African dwarf sawshark (P. nancyae) Shortnose sawshark (P. nudipinnis) Eastern Australian sawshark (P. peroniensis) Bahamas sawshark (P. schroederi) Order Squaliformes Centrophoridae (Gulper sharks) Centrophorus Needle dogfish (C. acus) Dwarf gulper shark (C. atromarginatus) Gulper shark (C. granulosus) Dumb gulper shark (C. harrissoni) Blackfin gulper shark (C. isodon) Lowfin gulper shark (C. lusitanicus) Smallfin gulper shark (C. moluccensis) Taiwan gulper shark (C. niaukang) Leafscale gulper shark (C. squamosus) Mosaic gulper shark (C. tessellatus) Little gulper shark (C. uyato) Deania Birdbeak dogfish (D. calcea) Rough longnose dogfish (D. hystricosa) Arrowhead dogfish (D. profundorum) Longsnout dogfish (D. quadrispinosum) Dalatiidae Euprotomicroides Taillight shark (E. zantedeschia) Heteroscymnoides Longnose pygmy shark (H. marleyi) Mollisquama Pocket shark (M. parini) Dalatias Kitefin shark (D. licha) Isistius Cookiecutter shark (I. brasiliensis) South China cookiecutter shark (I. labialis) Largetooth cookiecutter shark (I. plutodus) Euprotomicrus Pygmy shark (E. bispinatus) Squaliolus Smalleye pygmy shark (S. aliae) Spined pygmy shark (S. laticaudus) Etmopteridae Aculeola Hooktooth dogfish (A. nigra) Centroscyllium Highfin dogfish (C. excelsum) Black dogfish (C. fabricii) Granular dogfish (C. granulatum) Bareskin dogfish (C. kamoharai) Combtooth dogfish (C. nigrum) Ornate dogfish (C. ornatum) Whitefin dogfish (C. ritteri) Etmopterus (Lantern sharks) New Zealand lanternshark (E. baxteri) Blurred lanternshark (E. bigelowi) Shorttail lanternshark (E. brachyurus) Lined lanternshark (E. bullisi) E. burgessi Cylindrical lanternshark (E. carteri) Tailspot lanternshark (E. caudistigmus) Combtooth lanternshark (E. decacuspidatus) Pink lanternshark (E. dianthus) E. dislineatus Blackmouth lanternshark (E. evansi) Pygmy lanternshark (E. fusus) Broadbanded lanternshark (E. gracilispinis) Southern lanternshark (E. granulosus) Caribbean lanternshark (E. hillianus) Smalleye lantern shark (E. litvinovi) Blackbelly lanternshark (E. lucifer) Slendertail lanternshark (E. molleri) Dwarf lanternshark (E. perryi) African lanternshark (E. polli) Great lanternshark (E. princeps) False lanternshark (E. pseudosqualiolus) Smooth lanternshark (E. pusillus) Dense-scale lantern shark (E. pycnolepis) West Indian lanternshark (E. robinsi) Fringefin lanternshark (E. schultzi) Thorny lanternshark (E. sentosus) Velvet belly lantern shark (E. spinax) Splendid lanternshark (E. splendidus) Tasmanian lanternshark (E. tasmaniensis) Brown lanternshark (E. unicolor) Hawaiian lanternshark (E. villosus) Green lanternshark (E. virens) Miroscyllium Rasptooth dogfish (M. sheikoi) Trigonognathus Viper dogfish (T. kabeyai) Oxynotidae (Rough sharks) Oxynotus Prickly dogfish (O. bruniensis) Caribbean roughshark (O. caribbaeus) Angular roughshark (O. centrina) Japanese roughshark (O. japonicus) Sailfin roughshark (O. paradoxus) Somniosidae (Sleeper sharks) Centroscymnus Portuguese dogfish (C. coelolepis) Shortnose velvet dogfish (C. cryptacanthus) Roughskin dogfish (C. owstoni) Centroselachus Longnose velvet dogfish (C. crepidater) Proscymnodon Largespine velvet dogfish (P. macracanthus) Plunket shark (P. plunketi) Scymnodalatias Whitetail dogfish (S. albicauda) Azores dogfish (S. garricki) Sparsetooth dogfish (S. oligodon) Sherwood dogfish (S. sherwoodi) Scymnodon Smallmouth velvet dogfish (S. obscurus) Knifetooth dogfish (S. ringens) Somniosus Southern sleeper shark (S. antarcticus) Frog shark (S. longus ) Greenland shark (S. microcephalus) Pacific sleeper shark (S. pacificus) Little sleeper shark (S. rostratus) Zameus Japanese velvet dogfish (Z. ichiharai) Velvet dogfish (Z. squamulosus) Squalidae (Dogfish sharks) Cirrhigaleus Roughskin spurdog (C. asper) Mandarin dogfish (C. barbifer) Squalus (Spurdogs) Spiny dogfish (S. acanthias) Eastern highfin spurdog (S. albifrons) S. acutirostris Western highfin spurdog (S. altipinnis) Longnose spurdog (S. blainville) Fatspine spurdog (S. crassispinus) Cuban dogfish (S. cubensis) Eastern longnose spurdog (S. grahami) Japanese spurdog (S. japonicus) Shortnose spurdog (S. megalops) Blacktailed spurdog (S. melanurus) Shortspine spurdog (S. mitsukurii) Bartail spurdog (S. notocaudatus) Western longnose spurdog (S. nasutus) Cyrano spurdog (S. rancureli) Pacific spiny dogfish (S. suckleyi) Order Squatiniformes (Angelsharks) Squatinidae Squatina Sawback angelshark (S. aculeata) African angelshark (S. africana) Eastern Australian angelshark (Squatina albipunctata) Argentine angelshark (S. argentina) Chilean angelshark (S. armata) Australian angelshark (S. australis) Pacific angelshark (S. californica) Sand devil (S. dumeril) Taiwan angelshark (S. formosa) Angular angelshark (S. guggenheim) S. heteroptera Japanese angelshark (S. japonica) Indonesian angelshark (S. legnota) Cortez angelshark (S. mexicana) Clouded angelshark (S. nebulosa) Smoothback angelshark (S. oculata) S. punctata Western Australian angelshark (Squatina pseudocellata) Angelshark (S. squatina) Ornate angelshark (S. tergocellata) Ocellated angelshark (S. tergocellatoides)

Taxon identifiers Ginglymostoma cirratum Wikidata: Q756859 Wikispecies: Ginglymostoma cirratum ADW: Ginglymostoma_cirratum BOLD: 179803 CoL: 6KFCS EoL: 994810 EPPO: GINGCI EUNIS: 124378 FishBase: 2532 GBIF: 2417495 iNaturalist: 49964 IRMNG: 10993194 ITIS: 159977 IUCN: 144141186 NCBI: 7801 Observation.org: 157234 OBIS: 105846 Open Tree of Life: 400227 WoRMS: 105846

Authority control databases National Israel Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nurse shark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_shark) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_shark?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.