Nurse Shark
What is nurse shark?
Key facts
The nurse shark is a bottom-dwelling shark in the family Ginglymostomatidae, commonly referring to *Ginglymostoma cirratum*. It is found in warm, shallow coastal waters and is generally nonaggressive to humans.
Context
The nurse shark is a shark in the family Ginglymostomatidae, commonly referring to *Ginglymostoma cirratum* [1]. It is a bottom-dwelling shark found in warm, shallow coastal waters and is commonly described as slow-moving or sluggish [3]. Nurse sharks are generally nonaggressive and docile [2]. They rest on the sea floor during the day and feed at night [4]. They use barbels near the nostrils to find prey [3].
Documented claims
Questions and answers
Is a nurse shark very aggressive?
Nurse sharks are generally nonaggressive and docile, and are considered harmless to humans [2].
Are nurse sharks friendly?
Nurse sharks are generally docile and nonaggressive, but they are wild animals and should be treated with respect [2].
Is it safe to swim with nurse sharks?
Nurse sharks are generally nonaggressive and docile, but they are wild animals and should be treated with caution [2].
Why are they called nurse sharks?
The name 'nurse shark' is commonly used, but its origin is not definitively known [4].
Sources
- Nurse Sharks - Dry Tortugas - National Park Service — nps.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Nurse shark | Behavior, Habitat & Diet — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Nurse Shark — nationalgeographic.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- NURSE SHARK Definition & Meaning — merriam-webster.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)