Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

Phylum

Chordata

 Lemon Shark

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Carcharhiniformes

Family

Carcharhinidae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common names : Lemon shark.
Diet : Small fish, rays and crustaceans.
Reproduction : Viviparous : Females give birth to between 4 and 17 live young per litter after a years gestation. Each pup is about 60 centimetres at birth.
Size :

Maximum 3.4 metres  Average female 2.6 metres Average male 2.5 metres

 

Distribution of Lemon Shark Distribution : Found only in tropical  and warm temperate waters around the southern states of North America, the Caribbean, Latin America to Brazil and parts of East Africa. Usually found in  shallow water around sandy beaches, mangroves, bays and river mouths.

 

Danger to man : Has attacked people, but usually only when provoked.
Economic Importance : Good aquarium species as it does well in captivity. Often used for research
Other Comments : The Lemon shark can tolerate water with a very low oxygen content, such as the warm water mangroves of the Caribbean. Florida has been identified as one of their prime breeding grounds.