Lemon Shark

The shark is so called due to its body color which is yellow to brownish in color.

This is a large shark with a broad stubby face and is distinctive with its two dorsal fins which are similar in size, unlike say a great hammerhead which has a large first dorsal.

Growth

The average size of an adult is around 8-10ft which the males and females reach after 6-7 years. They reach maturity at the age of 12-15yrs.

Habitat

These sharks love shallow waters and even the deeper depths up to 300ft.

When scuba diving around Florida, you may find this shark near river mouths, coral reefs, ledges and mangroves. Unlike some sharks you will not find this shark too far up river as they do not like freshwater systems.

You will often come across them when scuba diving coral reefs and drop offs near deeper waters where they enjoy swimming.

Behaviour

This shark is migratory and although found in the deeper waters they tend to stay along the continental shelves.

This is a nocturnal species and is often found laying in the mud or silt at the bottom of shallow waters resting.

The young shark will stay in the shallows for years to protect themselves from predators and it is often these young lemon sharks that scuba divers see when diving coral reefs and wrecks.

Eating Habits

These sharks are bottom feeders and eat crustaceans and fish. Searching about on the bottom during the night these sharks feed on catfish, mullet, jacks, cowfish, stingrays, crabs and crayfish.

Shark Videos

Scuba diving videos often capture the beauty of sharks as they swim through the water in their unique style.

Here is the opportunity to watch one of these sharks - Carcharhinus brevirostris - swimming close to scuba divers who managed to video the event of the coast of England. Similar video footage has been shot off Florida and Maine's coastal waters but this is one of my favorites because of the detail. (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)...

Terence's Tip

This shark is none aggressive towards scuba divers however historically they have been responsible for 10 unprovoked attacks on people around the world.

A few of these incidents were reported in Florida and the Caribbean.

Attack may be a strong term to use as none of these 'attacks' ended in fatality, but commonly resulted in relatively minor bite wounds.

As I keep emphasising the majority of Florida sharks are no threat but demand respect.