Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Nebrius ferrugineus
- Common name
- Tawny nurse shark
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Ginglymostomatidae
- Genus
- Nebrius
- Size
- 200–320 cm
- Depth
- 1–70 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, cave
- Behaviours
- solitary, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Nebrius ferrugineus reaches 3.2 m. Nurse shark with robust rusty-brown to gray-brown body (hence ferrugineus), rounded head with nasal barbels, sub-terminal mouth. Distinct from Caribbean Ginglymostoma cirratum. Lives from 1 to 70 m on coral reefs of tropical Indo-Pacific. Exclusively nocturnal, rests during day piled under corals, caves or under drop-offs, often in groups. Hunts crustaceans, octopus and small fish at night. Listed VU. Calm daytime encounters, macro photo subject of its textured skin.
Photo of Tawny nurse shark
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Tawny nurse shark?
- Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) reaches 200–320 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Tawny nurse shark?
- Tawny nurse shark is found between 1–70 m deep.
- Is the Tawny nurse shark dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Tawny nurse shark?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Tawny nurse shark?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the family Ginglymostomatidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 220030)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2417496)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia