Nurse sharks are common, bottom dwelling sharks typically found in shallow, tropical and sub-tropical, in-shore waters. Its most common habitats are reefs, channels between mangrove islands, and sand-flats. They are nocturnal, solitary hunters but often congregate during the day in groups of up to 40 inactive individuals. Nurse sharks can be quite crafty hunters, remaining stationary until unwitting crustaceans take shelter underneath them and are then ambushed and eaten by the shark!
Undersea Conversations…
While it isn’t obvious, fish have ears, and are able to communicate to one another through sounds. They don’t have vocal chords, but instead vibrate their swim bladders, producing popping, grunting, moaning, barking, or chirping noises. While some species of fish, like the goldfish, are silent listeners, there are over 1000 species that are known to vocalize, and some, like the gurnard who are veritable chatterboxes. While we can’t have a conversation with them - at least not yet - it is theorized that they do it to attract mates, frighten away predators or competitors, to synchronize mating, call for help and warn others, or to orient themselves.
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
