Not just Shark Pictures:
Elasmodiver contains photos of sharks, skates, rays, and chimaera's
from around the world. It began as a simple web based field guide to
help divers find the best places to encounter different species of
sharks and rays but it has slowly evolved into a much larger project
containing information on all aspects of shark diving and
photography. There are now more than a thousand shark pictures
and sections on shark evolution, biology, and conservation. There is
a large library of reviewed shark books, a constantly outdated shark
taxonomy page, a monster list of shark links, and deeper in the site
there are numerous articles and stories about shark encounters.
Elasmodiver is now so difficult to check for updates, that new
information and pictures are listed
on an Elasmodiver Updates Page that
can be accessed here:
If you're
looking for a broader range of marine life pictures the following
links represent a new area that contains pictures on other marine
organisms and on marine habitats. This expansion of Elasmodiver is
in its first stages but will eventually include pages on everything
from sea stars to nudibranches. Creating this portal will take time
and for now it consists of a token offering of fish pictures. Please
return regularly to enjoy the progress.
View all available shark and ray images in the
SHARKIVE
Common Names:
Tawny nurse
shark, Nurse shark.
Latin Name: Nebrius ferrugineus.
Family: Rhincodontidae
Identification: Uniformly
tan or gray body, paling slightly towards belly. Juveniles have small dark
spots. Two sharply pointed dorsal fins of almost
equal size close to tail. Pectoral fins falcate. Anal fin as large as second
dorsal. Mouth close to tip of snout has a barbell on
each side. Tail narrow with a large upper caudal lobe and no distinct lower
lobe.
Size: 3.2m
max. 40cm at birth.
Habitat: Found
on rocky and coral reefs.
From intertidal to 70m.
Distribution: From the Society Islands
east to South Africa and the red sea across the indo Pacific to Australia.
Behavior: Nocturnal.
Sleeps under overhangs of reefs during the day. Often found
sleeping in small groups. At night forages for lobsters, crabs, octopus,
and sea urchins etc. Returns to same area every morning to rest. Has a limited
home range.
Reproduction: Ovoviviparous.
Litter number up to 8.
Observations:
Photographs: Muirin Islands, Exmouth,
Western Australia.
Similar species:
Reaction to divers: During
day lies motionless unless closely harassed. Will bite if provoked. Nurse sharks
are opportunistic and become regular visitors to shark feeds.
Diving logistics: The best encounters
I have had with Tawny nurse sharks was at the Burma
Banks during Silvertip shark feeds. I am interested in locations where this
species is seen in large groups resting under ledges.
Other diving locations submitted by readers:
Further reading:
Reef Sharks and Rays of the World
- Scott W. Michael.
Sharks
and Rays - Elasmobranch Guide of the World. Ralf M. Hennemann. IKAN.