Nebrius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nebrius |
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| Tawny nurse shark, Nebrius ferrugineus | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Orectolobiformes |
| Family: | Ginglymostomatidae |
| Genus: | Nebrius Rüppell, 1837 |
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Nebrius is a genus of carpet sharks in the family Ginglymostomatidae.Today, there's only one living species left in the Nebrius genus: the tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus). This amazing shark was first described by a scientist named Rene Primevere Lesson in 1831.
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What Does the Tawny Nurse Shark Look Like?
Tawny nurse sharks are usually a yellowish-brown or reddish-brown color, which helps them blend in with the sandy or rocky seafloor where they live. They can grow quite large, sometimes reaching up to 3.2 meters (about 10.5 feet) in length! They have two dorsal fins (the fins on their back) that are similar in size and shape, and a long, thick tail.
Where Do Tawny Nurse Sharks Live?
These sharks prefer warm, tropical waters. You can find them in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the western Pacific Ocean. They often hang out near coral reefs, rocky areas, or sandy flats, usually in shallow waters, but sometimes they go deeper.
What Do Tawny Nurse Sharks Eat?
Tawny nurse sharks are mostly active at night. They are bottom-feeders, meaning they search for food on the seafloor. Their diet includes small fish, crabs, lobsters, and other invertebrates. They have strong jaws and many small, sharp teeth perfect for crushing shells.
Ancient Nebrius Sharks: A Look Back in Time
While the tawny nurse shark is the only living member of its genus, scientists have found fossils of several other Nebrius species that are now extinct. These ancient sharks swam the oceans millions of years ago!
The oldest known Nebrius fossils date back to a time called the Danian age, which was about 65 million years ago. This means Nebrius sharks have been around for a very long time, surviving through many changes on Earth.
What Were the Extinct Nebrius Species?
Scientists have identified several extinct species from their fossilized teeth and other remains. Some of these include:
- † Nebrius bequaerti (discovered by Leriche in 1920)
- † Nebrius blanckenhorni (discovered by Stromer in 1905)
- † Nebrius obliquus (discovered by Leidy in 1877)
- † Nebrius thielensis (discovered by Winkler in 1873)
The "†" symbol next to their names means they are extinct. Studying these fossils helps us understand how sharks have evolved over millions of years.
Who Named the Nebrius Genus?
The Nebrius genus was officially named by a scientist named Eduard Rüppell in 1837. He was a German naturalist and explorer who studied many different animals.
See Also
- Prehistoric sharks
- List of prehistoric cartilaginous fish
