What Divers Should Know About Nurse Shark

Across the tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic, and Eastern Pacific, the nurse shark is a recognizable figure on the seabed. This widespread species makes its home from Cape Verde to Gabon, throughout the Caribbean and down to southern Brazil, and along the Eastern Pacific from Baja California to Peru. For divers exploring these regions, spotting one of these fascinating bottom-dwellers is a common and often serene experience.

Typically inshore dwellers, these sharks prefer bottom habitats, with juveniles often resting on shallow coral reefs, seagrass flats, and around mangrove islands. Larger adults, by contrast, seek out deeper reefs and rocky areas. During the day, you'll frequently find them taking shelter in crevices or under ledges, emerging at night to feed in shallower areas. With a broad head, two rounded dorsal fins, and a robust, brownish body that can reach up to 3.08 meters (10 feet) in length, they are unmistakable. Despite their calm, sedentary appearance, it's crucial for divers to observe them respectfully; incautious interaction has unfortunately led to them being ranked fourth in documented shark bites.