Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum
Ginglymostoma cirratum

Other Information

Unlike most shark species, Nurse Sharks can breathe while lying still thanks to special muscles in their cheeks that allow them to pull oxygenated water over their gills. This is an adaptation to living on the seafloor, where they primarily hunt for crabs and small fish.

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Learn more

“Nurse Shark.” Oceana, Oceana, oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/nurse-shark.