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Writer's pictureGracie Puit

All about Lemon Sharks


 

Overview/Introduction

 

Lemon sharks, scientifically known as Negaprion brevirostris are an amazing branch of sharks. The sharks have many interesting characteristics, for example some may have bright yellow skin! According to the Encyclopedia Of Life, the average shark can weighs 220lbs, yet is able to reach weights up to 550 pounds. On the other hand this outstanding species can be anywhere between lengths of 10 to 11 feet. Lemon sharks can be found in multiple places throughout the world, including the Atlantic Ocean and some parts of the Pacific. You can also find lemon sharks right off the coast of Western Africa. Lemon sharks enjoy shallow waters, usually staying occupied at roughly 300 feet under the surface. Sometimes they will inhabit places in the ocean like coral reefs, enclosed bays and river mouths. It’s very unlikely to find a lemon shark in freshwater. The sharks personality tends to rarely be aggressive, the sharks are relatively friendly with other species. Very few attacks have been reported from the species, the sharks are pose a potential threat to humans yet it is very uncommon. It is known that lemon sharks will occasionally get possessive of divers, some may even say jealous. Lemon sharks conservation status isn’t going to well, currently the species is on the ICUN red list of near threatened species. The species usually lives 25 to 30 years. Anyways, that’s some information about the species itself so let’s move onto individual categories!


 

Appearance

 

Lemon sharks typically have a bluff snout, their coloration can range from bright yellow on their dorsal area or a somewhat brownish color. Yet on the underside of the shark, its usually a yellowish white color. The sharks are a very large animal, as mentioned before the average length is 10 to 11 feet while they weigh roughly 220lbs. The species eyes are relatively small in comparison to the rest of its body and facial feature.

See a picture a real life lemon shark down below!


This sharks coloration is yellowish, you’re able to see all the features mentioned above very clearly throughout the photo. The lemon shark is searching for pray a little bit under the surface, lemon sharks like wandering on sand.

 

Diet

 

Lemon sharks are not very picky eaters, unlike other species. This shark will gobble up all kinds of prey including fish, rays, crustacean, seabirds and other sharks. A healthy shark demands a healthy diet!


2 lemon sharks are seen catching prey on the sandy underwater abyss.

 

Buckley, Gabe. “Lemon Shark.” Biology Dictionary, 19 July 2020, biologydictionary.net/lemon-shark/.



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