Grey Nurse Shark
Image: D Ross Robertson
Common Names: Grey Nurse, Sand Tiger, Ragged-tooth shark
Scientific Name: Carcharias taurus
Size: 3.6m
Found: Tropical and temperate waters in the Atlantic, Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. Found off all Australian states except Tasmania.
Population Status: Vulnerable to Extinction (IUCN 2007)
Tooth Shape:
Grey Nurse have long slender teeth for grasping prey such as pelagic fish.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous. Developing young are enclosed in egg cases within each uterus of the female. They hatch from the egg cases at around 55mm in length and then eat any unfertilised eggs and even their brothers and sisters. This is known as intra-uterine cannibalism. After around 9-12 months,
2 young are born, one from each uterus.
Interesting Facts:
Grey Nurse sharks can swallow air at the surface and hold it in their stomachs. This provides buoyancy and enables the shark to hang almost motionless above the sea floor.
Grey Nurse sharks appear fearsome due to their protruding teeth, however they eat mostly small to medium fishes, squid and lobster.
They are harmless to humans.
Grey Nurse have long slender teeth for grasping prey such as pelagic fish.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous. Developing young are enclosed in egg cases within each uterus of the female. They hatch from the egg cases at around 55mm in length and then eat any unfertilised eggs and even their brothers and sisters. This is known as intra-uterine cannibalism. After around 9-12 months,
2 young are born, one from each uterus.
Interesting Facts:
Grey Nurse sharks can swallow air at the surface and hold it in their stomachs. This provides buoyancy and enables the shark to hang almost motionless above the sea floor.
Grey Nurse sharks appear fearsome due to their protruding teeth, however they eat mostly small to medium fishes, squid and lobster.
They are harmless to humans.