Taxonomy
An elasmobranch in the family Ginglymostomatidae; scientific name Ginglymostoma cirratum.
Photo byWouter Naert
Species Guide
What to know about nurse sharks
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
The nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is an elasmobranch fish in the family Ginglymostomatidae. It is globally assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, though regional assessments vary: considered Least Concern in the United States and The Bahamas, and Near Threatened in the western Atlantic due to vulnerability in parts of South America and reported threats across Central America and the Caribbean. Nurse sharks are directly targeted by some fisheries and taken as by-catch in others. They are robust animals that tolerate capture, handling, and tagging well. Despite a calm, sedentary appearance, nurse sharks are involved in documented bites on humans and rank fourth in recorded shark bite incidents, likely linked to incautious human behavior around them.
Globally Vulnerable per IUCN; regional assessments vary with Least Concern in the United States and The Bahamas and Near Threatened status in parts of the western Atlantic due to localized vulnerabilities and reported threats.
Typically calm and sedentary.
Identification
How to identify nurse sharks
The visual markers divers can use underwater, plus the species most likely to cause confusion.
Key identification markers
Body and behavior
Described as robust and typically calm and sedentary.
Range and Movement
How nurse sharks move through the world
The broad range, seasonal movement, or migratory behavior that shapes where divers encounter this species.
Typically calm and sedentary.
Conservation
What is happening with Nurse Sharks
Status, pressure, and protection context grounded in cited sources rather than filler.
Globally Vulnerable per IUCN; regional assessments vary with Least Concern in the United States and The Bahamas and Near Threatened status in parts of the western Atlantic due to localized vulnerabilities and reported threats.
Main threats
Fisheries targeting
Nurse sharks are directly targeted in some fisheries.
By-catch
They are taken as by-catch in other fisheries.
Regional threats
Reported threats occur across many areas of Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America contributing to regional vulnerability.
Responsible Encounters
How to dive with nurse sharks
Conservation-minded guidance for divers who want the encounter without adding pressure.
Avoid incautious behavior around nurse sharks; their calm, sedentary nature can lead people to approach them closely, which is associated with recorded bites.
Field Notes
Interesting things worth knowing
Useful species context that makes the encounter more meaningful once you are underwater.
Field notes
Research-friendly
They tolerate capture, handling, and tagging extremely well, making them important for shark research.
Bite record
Ranked fourth in documented shark bites on humans, a pattern attributed to human incautiousness around the species.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Clear planning and conservation answers written for search visibility and AI retrieval.
Research Sources
Nurse Shark information sources
Primary and credible references behind the field-guide and conservation claims on this page.
Sources 3Last Updated
Nurse shark · Encyclopedia · Wikipedia
Primary wildlife guide source.
Nurse Shark · Encyclopedia · Britannica
Supporting wildlife source.
Ginglymostoma cirratum · Taxonomy · WoRMS
Taxonomy reference.
Related Species
More in Sharks
Related species guides in the same encounter family.
