Fin's Fish Guide
The Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) is a saltwater fish of the family Ginglymostomatidae that grows up to 320 cm.
Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia and others
Description
The tawny nurse shark is a large nurse shark (Ginglymostomatidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 3.2 metres and has a robust, tawny-brown body with a broad, blunt head, small eyes and a pair of barbels. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it rests by day in caves and under overhangs and at night sucks prey from crevices with powerful suction jaws: crustaceans, octopus and fish. It is usually placid, but can bite fiercely and clamp hard when disturbed; caution is advised.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Tawny nurse shark?
The Tawny nurse shark has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown. Can bite with sharp teeth or powerful jaws; handle with care.
Where does the Tawny nurse shark live?
The Tawny nurse shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: American Samoa, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia and others
How big does the Tawny nurse shark get?
The Tawny nurse shark grows to a maximum of about 320 cm. On average the species is around 250 cm.
Is the Tawny nurse shark dangerous to humans?
The Tawny nurse shark can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Keep your distance and handle caught animals carefully. For a bite: apply firm pressure to stop bleeding, rinse with clean water and cover with a sterile dressing. Shark bites are deep and prone to infection: always seek medical assessment and check tetanus status.
Is the Tawny nurse shark edible?
Yes, the Tawny nurse shark is commonly eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Ginglymostomatidae
Want the complete picture on the Tawny nurse shark?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Tawny nurse shark is one of 12,519 species in the app.