Negaprion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Negaprion |
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| Lemon shark (N. brevirostris) | |
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| Sicklefin lemon shark (N. acutidens) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
| Family: | Carcharhinidae |
| Genus: | Negaprion Whitley, 1940 |
| Type species | |
| Carcharias fronto Jordan & Gilbert, 1882
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Negaprion is a group of sharks. It is one of 12 groups in the shark family called Carcharhinidae. Think of a genus as a smaller group within a larger family.
There are two main types of living sharks in the Negaprion genus. These are the Lemon shark and the Sicklefin lemon shark. Both types of sharks are quite large and strong. They have a wide, flat snout. They also have two big dorsal fins (fins on their back) that are about the same size.
These sharks are yellowish-brown on their top side. Their bellies are white. They eat similar foods too. Their diet includes bony fish, crustaceans like crabs, stingrays, and even smaller sharks. Both types of sharks also give birth to live young. This means they are viviparous.
Lemon Shark
The Lemon shark is the smaller of the two Negaprion species. It can grow up to 3.4 meters (about 11 feet) long. However, they are usually between 2.4 to 3 meters (8 to 10 feet) long. When baby Lemon sharks are born, they are about 24 to 26 inches long.
Lemon sharks live in warm, shallow waters. You can find them in tropical and subtropical areas. They like coastal places in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. They often live near coral reefs and mangroves. You might also see them in enclosed bays or even near river mouths.
Sicklefin Lemon Shark
The Sicklefin lemon shark is bigger than the Lemon shark. It can grow up to 3.8 meters (about 12.5 feet) long. Baby Sicklefin lemon sharks are born a bit smaller or larger than Lemon shark pups. They are usually around 18 to 32 inches long at birth.
These sharks live on continental and island shelves. They are common around coral reefs. You can also find them in shallow, sandy lagoons. They also like to live in mangrove swamps.
Types of Lemon Sharks
Here are the known types of sharks in the Negaprion genus:
- Sicklefin lemon shark, Negaprion acutidens
- Lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris
- †Negaprion eurybathrodon (This one is an extinct species, meaning it no longer lives today.)
See also
In Spanish: Tiburones limón para niños
