Tawny Nurse Shark

Nebrius ferrugineus 

Habitat & Distribution :  Indo-West Pacific 

Diet : Octopus, squid, fish, crustaceans 

Size : 2,5-3 m 

Lifespan : 25-30 years

Description

A large, bulky shark typically 2.5–3 meters long with a broad, flattened head and squarish snout. It has tawny to grey-brown, soft skin, small eyes, and characteristic pointed, sickle-shaped pectoral fins 

Behavior

Generally docile, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling species known for resting in large, packed groups within caves and crevices during the day. They are active hunters at night, using powerful suction to feed on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. 

Reproduction

They are ovoviviparous, meaning eggs hatch inside the mother, and they practice oophagy, where developing embryos feed on unfertilized eggs. 

Communication & Perception

Tawny nurse sharks communicate primarily through physical, non-visual cues, including social aggregation, body posturing, and tactile interaction, particularly during their resting, nocturnal, and mating behaviors. 

Predator(s)

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