Family: Orectolobidae, Carpet Sharks view all from this family

Description To 14' (4.3 m). Elongate; grayish-brown or yellowish, darker above than below. Snout short, mouth under its tip; well-developed barbel attached to front of each nostril. 2 dorsal fins without spines, first not much larger than second; caudal fin low in profile. Skin appears exceptionally rough due to relatively large, closely spaced dermal denticles.

Warning Although its teeth are small and scale-like, the Nurse Shark has a tenacious grip, and divers who bother it risk serious skin abrasions.

Habitat Inshore, often on shallow sand flats, channels, and coral reefs.

Range In Atlantic from Rhode Island south to Gulf of Mexico and Brazil. In Pacific from Gulf of California to Ecuador.

Discussion In North American waters, the Nurse Shark is most abundant off the coasts of southern Florida. Small fishes, sea urchins, and a variety of crustaceans, including spiny lobsters, make up its diet. This shark is too sluggish to be actively pursued by anglers.