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Lemon Sharks
Negaprion brevirostris

If you have more questions about this species or any other species of shark, ask the Shark Wrangler!
He has handled live sharks of every species on this site except blues and makos.

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The lemon shark ranges the warm waters of the southeast.  From NC to the Gulf of Mexico, they roam the warm and hot waters.  The warm shallow water is the backyard of the lemon.

This species is one of the (for lack of a better term) "meanest" of sharks in the wild.  They usually leave humans alone.  But, have been known to attack humans (9 documented unprovoked attacks).  They can be quite savage when feeding or if provoked.  They cruise rather slowly in the the hot water.  This can be taken as a sign by divers that they are approachable.  However, this species should be avoided, especially animals four feet or greater.

They tend to be opportunistic feeders.  They will feed on dead or living animals including other sharks.  Their distinctive fins design and body shape is similar in style to the sand tiger.  Despite their wild nature, this species is most common in aquariums.

This is due not only to their inexpensive cost but their durability in transport.  Lemons thrive in captivity.  However, they make poor tank mates for many other species.  They survive many years in captivity and even develop, in some cases, an affinity for human contact.  However, they can destroy coral displays and structures as well as have a feast on prize tropical fish displays.  They should not be kept in displays with any other fish for the sake of the other fish.

They have been known to pup as far north as SC.  I shocked senior researchers with photographic evidence of this.  Lemon pups can be tough, spunky animals.


PHOTO

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Jaws
from 6  foot shark

 

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