Bahamas Nurse Sharks

A Bahamas scuba diving trip would be incomplete without a glimpse of one of the gentlest in the shark family, the nurse shark. While the warm waters near the Bahamas harbor many fascinating species of fish, for many divers sharks hold their own unique fascination. After all, sharks have been ruling the ocean for millions of years, long before modern humans walked the earth. However, unlike their more aggressive cousins, nurse sharks can be safely admired by swimmers, making them a favorite on any dive.

Nurse Shark Appearance

Nurse sharks are, on average, about 10 feet long, though they can vary greatly in size. Young nurse shark pups are smaller versions of their parents. They are dark grey or brown and can sometimes have a spotted pattern. Smooth skin differentiates them from other breeds of shark, but like other sharks they have hundreds of teeth in their mouth, arranged in rows, that are replaced as they fall out.

The eyes of a nurse shark are set relatively far back on their head, with a small mouth set further forward. They also have long tail fins and barbels, which look like whiskers, near their mouths which help them to hunt.

Nurse Shark Eating Habits

Like other fish in the shark family, nurse sharks are carnivorous. Despite this, humans are quite safe around them as long as they avoid grabbing at them or stepping on them. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History there have only ever been 10 unprovoked nurse shark attacks, with none of them ever resulting in a fatality, making them safer than many dogs.

Instead, nurse sharks like to eat small fish, crustaceans, shellfish, sting ray and squid. They even eat coral reef. They use a strong suction to aid in their hunting and pull in prey, and can sometimes be heard making a sucking sound as they eat. They are nocturnal and do their hunting at night, which means that during the day they can often be spotted lounging on the ocean's floor. Unlike some sharks, which must move to breath, nurse sharks can breath perfectly well even at rest.

Nurse Shark Habitats

Nurse sharks can be found all along the tropical and sub-tropical coastlines of the Americas. They can be spotted as far south as Brazil and as far north as Georia, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and on the western coast of the African continent. They love to hunt and rest near coral reefs or mudflats, and generally prefer warm, shallow water. In fact, they are often found in water as shallow as 4 or 5 feet deep, which is surprising for a shark of their size, though they make it easier for divers and snorkelers to find them.