Nurse+Shark

The population of the Nurse shark is not endangered but has decreaed over the past decade. This is believed to not be a a direct attack on the nurse shark but an over fishing of sharks in general. __Appearance__ Size- Average size is 8.5 feet but many have been found over 14 feet. Average weight 220 pounds Color- The Nurse Shark is a light grey and bronzy (counter shaded). Birth Size- The size ath birth is around 12 inches (1 foot).
 * __Survival Trends of Species__

__Reproduction__ The mating season runs from early June to late July for the Nurse Shark. The Nurse Shark is ovovivparous which means after the eggs are layed they remain in the femal for further development. The gestation peroid is 6 months and the female will have a typical litter of 21-28 pupps. Babies are born around 12 inches fully developed. Baby Nurse Sharks do not stay with their mom for long due to cannibalstic behavior from the mother.

__Animal Anatomy__ - The Nurse Shark has two dorsal fins which allow the shark to have control as a bottom dweller. - The Nurse Shark is known to be a raggy tooth shark, because you can see its teeth when the sharks mouth is closed. - The interal skelaton is made up of cartilage and connecting tissue. Same as every other shark. - Skin is covered with tiny teeth called dermal denticles. - Nurse shark is counter shaded in grey and bronze - The Nurse Sharks life spand is around 25 years. - The Nurse Shark can taste with its skin - The Nurse Shark has 7 gills. - Commonly habitat reefs. - Nurse Shark is nocturnal and inactive during the day.

__Food Chain__ The Nurse shark will mostly eat fish, squid, and octopus.

__Economic Importance__ The Nurse Shark is used to make creams, lipsticks, and soups.

__Threats__ The Nurse shark is one of the most critically endangered sharks in the world and the first shark in history to be protected. Threats for the animal include humans, male sharks, and specificaly tiger sharks.**

The Nurse sharks are also protected under the Fisheries Legislation in New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland which makes it illegal to hunt and capture a Nurse Shark.
 * __Conservation Efforts__

__Solutions__ - Farm raise the Nurse shark and release them as they mature. - Make it illegal to catch the Nurse Shark for sport. - Make it illegal to catch the nurse shark for soup, cream, and lipstick.**