Quick answer
Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Key takeaway
Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
Nurse Shark conservation status
Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is recorded here as Vulnerable. Global categories summarise extinction risk; regional populations can be safer or worse than the headline label.
Threats facing nurse sharks
Habitat loss around Warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific coral reefs and sand flats, hunting or persecution, climate pressure, and conflict with people are common drivers. Exact ranking of threats varies by region.
Outlook for Nurse Shark populations
Where monitoring exists, trends track protected-area quality and enforcement. Fragmented groups need corridors and genetic exchange to avoid local extinction.
What actually helps
Support verified conservation programmes, cut demand for illegal wildlife products, and protect habitat. Tourism helps only when operators follow ethical wildlife standards.
Physical traits and behaviour
Nurse Sharks typically reach about 3 m in length and 100 kg in weight, with top speeds near 40 km/h. The docile reef bottom-dweller. Daily activity, social structure, and seasonal movements reflect pressures in their native environment.
Diet and ecological role
Nurse Sharks feed on carnivore — fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays. Foraging shifts with season and local abundance. As fish, they influence food webs — controlling prey, dispersing seeds, or shaping habitat through feeding and movement.
Sources
Nurse Shark FAQs
Are nurse sharks endangered?
Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) are listed in our guides as Vulnerable. That IUCN-style label describes global extinction risk and can differ from national lists — habitat loss and human pressure still decide local survival.
What is the scientific name of the nurse shark?
Ginglymostoma cirratum — used in research and conservation listings for nurse sharks.
What do nurse sharks eat?
Nurse Sharks eat fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and stingrays, with seasonal and regional variation in Warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific coral reefs and sand flats.
Where do nurse sharks live?
They are associated with Warm Atlantic and eastern Pacific coral reefs and sand flats. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of nurse sharks?
Listed in our guides as Vulnerable. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.