Field Key to Sharks of North Carolina and Adjacent Waters

Florida Program for Shark Research

Education Selections... South Florida Aquatic Environments About the Different Groups of Fishes About the Anatomy of Fish and Sharks How Fish and Sharks Swim About Fish Adaptations About the Endangered Species Act How to Become a Biologist About Careers In Ichthyology Most Commonly Asked Shark Questions Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions Most Commonly Asked Ray and Skate Questions Most Commonly Asked Fish Questions Identification Key to Freshwater Fishes of Peninsular Florida Field Key to Sharks Skates of the Western Gulf of Maine Project Shark Awareness - A Public Outreach Educational Program Shark Fishing in U.S. Territorial Waters Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions Sawfish In Peril - PowerPoint file Sawfish Informational Brochure - Acrobat file Sawfish Outreach Boat Ramp/Marina Sign - Acrobat file Sawfish In The News Sawfish References Sawfish Links Smalltooth Sawfish species profile Largetooth Sawfish species profile Green Sawfish species profile Freshwater Sawfish species profile Dwarf Sawfish species profile Knifetooth Sawfish species profile Chondrichthyes Bibliography Search Freshwater Fishes of Florida References General Fish References Shark References Sawfish References Childrens' Shark Books Stingray Reproduction References Biological Profiles Glossary of Terms Shark Games: Test Your Knowlege! 2003 Open House Photos Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) Biological Profile Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) illustration ©FAO courtesy Species Identification and Biodata Distinguishing Characteristics 1. Mouth near tip of snout has nasal barbels on each side 2. First and second dorsal and anal fins are broadly rounded 3. The second dorsal fin is almost as large as the first dorsal fin 4. There is no distinct lower lobe on the caudal fin 5. Eyes are very small 6. First dorsal fin originates well behind the pectoral fins and over or behind the origin of the pelvic fins Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) Specimen © George Burgess Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) Specimen: Ventral view of head, note the nasal barbels © George Burgess Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) Underwater © Doug Perrine Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) Underwater © Doug Perrine