Pronunciation: [nˈɜːs ʃˈɑːk] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "nurse shark" is unique and can be confusing for some. It is spelled as /nɜːrs ʃɑːk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "nurse" in nurse shark is pronounced with a schwa sound for the vowel in the first syllable, followed by an "s" sound for the "s" in the second syllable. The "shark" is pronounced with an "sh" sound for the initial consonant cluster, followed by an "ar" sound in the second syllable.
A nurse shark, scientifically known as Ginglymostoma cirratum, is a species of slow-moving, bottom-dwelling shark. They belong to the family Ginglymostomatidae and can be found in warm tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans. Nurse sharks are known for their distinctive appearance, with a robust and cylindrical body and a broad head flattened from above. They typically grow to be about 7 to 9 feet in length, although some individuals can reach up to 14 feet.
Despite their somewhat menacing appearance, nurse sharks are generally harmless to humans. They have strong jaws with numerous small teeth, which they use to feed on a diet consisting mostly of bottom-dwelling invertebrates like crustaceans, mollusks, and sea urchins. They are nocturnal creatures, primarily active at night when they venture out to hunt.
The name "nurse shark" derives from their more docile nature, often observed resting on the ocean floor during the day. Their behavior of remaining still and grouped together in caves or under ledges led early sailors to believe they were nursing or sleeping, hence the name "nurse."
These sharks are ovoviviparous, which means their embryos develop inside eggs that remain within the mother's body until hatching. The females typically give birth to live young, usually between 20 to 30 pups.
Nurse sharks play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by controlling populations of prey species. They also support eco-tourism activities, as they are often admired and sought after by divers and snorkelers due to their non-aggressive nature and interesting behavior.
The word "nurse" in "nurse shark" is derived from the Old English word "nurice", which means "nourish" or "nurture". This is because nurse sharks were historically thought to exhibit a behavior where they would appear to suckle their young, giving the impression of a nurturing behavior. However, it is now known that this behavior is not actually related to nursing their young, but rather a means of mating. The term "nurse shark" was given to this species due to this misunderstood behavior.
