Refresh your knowledge through reading all these significant lemon shark facts that includes lemon shark diet, habitat, and reproduction. The lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) is an extant species that belongs to the family of Carcharhinidae. They can grow to a size of about 10 feet (3.0 meters). True to its name, the lemon shark exhibits tanned and yellow appearance that resembles much like a lemon surface. Although these sharks are not considered to be real threats to humans but one should usually avoid getting close to them as they are too big to be escaped. They can attack when provoked. The lemon sharks are listed as endangered species by the IUCN. They are typically hunted for commercial purposes such as to fulfill the needs of meat, liver oil, and shark fins.
Amazing Lemon Shark Facts
- The name of these sharks was given after when it appeared to be pale to yellow skin color with no prominent markings.
- It becomes difficult to recognize these species when swimming over the sandy seafloor as they’re often camouflaged due to its skin color.
- These sharks have horizontal and stretched head with the dorsal fin being the second largest among shark species.
- The largest lemon shark ever recorded was measured at 4.0 meters (13 feet), but the usual length is 8 – 10 feet (2.4 – 3.0 meters).
- The heaviest lemon shark weighed around 185 kg, with the length of about 340 cm.
- These types of sharks are thought to migrate hundreds of kilometers in search of their mate.
- They can also reside in captivity which other species like great white sharks cannot as they do not accept food in captivity.
- Of all the remaining sharks, the lemon sharks are best known for their congenial behavior.
- Like other sharks, lemon sharks have also electroreceptors that are located in their heads and are known as ampullae of Lorenzini.
- These species are commonly called bottom-dwellers.
- They do not have better eyesight.
Where Do Lemon Sharks Live | Lemon Shark Facts
The lemon sharks inhabit all along the tropical as well as subtropical parts of the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of South and North America. Some of these species are also found around the Pacific islands. They are mostly known to reside across tropical waters and are often found at shallow waters along with remoras. Lemon sharks inhabit all throughout the New Jersey, Brazil, Bahamas, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Mexico. In the Pacific Ocean, these species are often found in the Southern Baja California, the Gulf of California, Ecuador, and Mexico. They may exist with mangroves, docks, corals, and in river mouths and freshwater. The young sharks seldom migrate towards offshore which adult species usually do.
What Do Lemon Sharks Eat
These types of fish predominantly feed on several crustaceans, rays, and bony fish. Most of their feeding begins at dawn or dusk. Some researchers believe that lemon sharks have a keen eyesight possibly because of the flat band that is embedded in the retina which enables sharks to visualize minute details of their prey colors.
Reproduction | Interesting Lemon Shark Facts
- The female sharks litter 4 – 17 young sharks as they are viviparous.
- The lemon sharks tend to mature after when they reach 1.5 – 2.0 meters, with the age of 12 – 15 years.
- They are often found in deeper waters offshore.
- The gestation period for lemon sharks last for 10 – 12 months.
- The females usually give birth in the months of April to September.
- The length of the pups measure around 24 – 26 inches at birth.
- The average lifespan of lemon sharks is 25 years.
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