Vulnerable· population decreasing· assessed 2021

Nurse shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Sighting evidence at Grace Bay Reef, Turks and Caicos Islands

Nurse sharks are the quintessential Caribbean resting shark: slow, docile, and almost always found wedged under coral ledges during daylight hours. They are nocturnal hunters that cruise sandy flats for sleeping fish, crustaceans, and molluscs after dark. Despite their benign reputation they should not be approached or touched; their jaws can clamp with considerable force if startled.

Evidence at this site

4 records within 25 km

Confidence: low

Last confirmed Sep 2025

Seasonality

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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Nurse shark

Evidence at this site

Seasonality

Also seen at other sites