Tawny Nurse Shark
Common Name: Tawny Nurse Shark
Scientific Name: Nebrius ferrugineus
Size: Up to 3.2m, av 2 - 2.2m
Found in: Indian and Pacific oceans, reefs, sandy flats and seagrass beds.
Population Status: Vulnerable to extinction (IUCN 2010)
Tooth Shape:
Tawny Nurse have small sharp teeth which are used to feed on octopus, crustaceans, sea urchins and small fish.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous - Pups hatch from egg cases inside the mother and are born live. Litters between 1-8
pups. Pups are born at about 40cm in length.
Interesting Facts:
Tawny Nurse are generally nocturnal, resting during the day and emerging at night to forage.
They are docile animals and can often be found resting together in small groups.
The Tawny Nurse shark is the only member of the carpet shark family which exhibits intrauterine cannibalism, once the pups have used up their yolk supply, they will feed on other eggs within the uterus.
Tawny Nurse have small sharp teeth which are used to feed on octopus, crustaceans, sea urchins and small fish.
Reproduction:
Ovoviviparous - Pups hatch from egg cases inside the mother and are born live. Litters between 1-8
pups. Pups are born at about 40cm in length.
Interesting Facts:
Tawny Nurse are generally nocturnal, resting during the day and emerging at night to forage.
They are docile animals and can often be found resting together in small groups.
The Tawny Nurse shark is the only member of the carpet shark family which exhibits intrauterine cannibalism, once the pups have used up their yolk supply, they will feed on other eggs within the uterus.
