Shark, Lemon (Negaprion brevirostris)

Latin name

Negaprion brevirostris

Other names

Lemon shark

Identification

It is usually yellow-brown, but can also be a dirty dark brown or dark gray with olive flanks and a paler belly. It has a blunt and broad snout that appears rounded from below. The second dorsal fin is almost equal in size to the large first dorsal fin, and the upper tail blade is much larger than the lower one.

Distribution

Lemon sharks are found in the western Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey to Brazil. In the eastern Pacific, they are common from southern Baja California, Mexico, and the Gulf of California to Ecuador.

Habitat

Can rest on the bottom in coastal waters in groups of 4-6 individuals and becomes aggressive when near spearfishing.

Size

A requiem family shark, the lemon shark grows to 11 feet in length, although it is usually 5 to 8 feet long.

Life history and Behavior

No information

Food and feeding habits

No information

Reproduction

No information