Lemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
- Class
- Cartilaginous fish
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 576
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Vulnerable
Description
The lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) is a species of requiem shark from the family Carcharhinidae, known for its yellowish skin, which inspires its common name. The lemon shark is classified as a "vulnerable" species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Lemon sharks can grow to 3.4 m (11 ft) in length. They are often found in shallow subtropical waters and are known to inhabit and return to specific nursery sites for breeding. Often feeding at night, these sharks use electroreceptors to find their main source of prey, fish. Lemon sharks enjoy the many benefits of group living, such as enhanced communication, courtship, predatory behavior, and protection. This species gives birth to live young, and the females are polyandrous and have a biennial reproductive cycle. Lemon sharks are not thought to be a large threat to humans; only 10 bites have been recorded, none of which were life-threatening. The lemon shark's lifespan is unknown, but the typical shark is 25 to 30 years old. In 2023, the oldest recorded lemon shark in captivity died at the age of 40 years.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Lemon shark”.