Nurse Shark

This shark has a small mouth compared to some other sharks and is a light tan to brown in color, with the first of two rounded dorsal fins much larger than the second.

This is a nocturnal creature and is often found lying in the sandy bottom of a cave or amongst the crevices in rock or coral which is why they are common in the Florida Keys where the temperate shallow waters provide them with their ideal habitat.

Growth

The average size of an adult is around 7.5-9ft with the females growing to be the largest.

These adults can weigh anywhere between 160-230lbs which is a fair size when you consider they are only 12in long when born.

Habitat

These docile looking sharks enjoy each other's company and are often found huddled in groups on the sandy bottom of caves or other sheltered areas.

During the night they can be found on the sea floor or at other levels searching for prey making it an excellent species to observe during those night dives.

Behavior

This is not an aggressive shark and should pose no threat to your scuba diving exploration.

It is fascinating to watch this shark as it huddles together in groups when you find them in caves and amongst the coral reefs. During you night dives they are often found in the shallower waters where they search for food, and in the deeper waters during the day.

Eating Habits

Not being a fast swimmer or particularly agile the nurse shark has to find its food during the dark hours. This shark loves eating stingrays, mollusks and crustaceans such as crab and lobster. They are also able to catch some smaller fish which they come upon resting during the night

Shark Photos and Videos

There are many shark photos and videos available on the web which proves that not all scuba divers are attacked when in the water near these amazing creatures!

This is one of my favorite videos: (press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)...