Home > Facts > Animal Facts > Lemon shark Facts

Lemon shark Facts

Lemon shark Facts
Lemon shark is a species of shark that can be easily recognized by the yellowish color of the skin. This animal can be found along the coasts of North and South America, in Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Lemon shark lives in warm and shallow waters, usually near the coral reefs, mangroves and bays. It can be found even in the river mouth. People hunt lemon sharks because of their meat, fins and skin. Besides fishing, habitat destruction led to significant reduction of the number of lemon sharks in the wild. Despite all these factors, lemon sharks are still not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Lemon shark Facts:
Lemon shark can reach 10 feet in length and weigh up to 200 pounds.
Dorsal side of lemon shark is yellow to gray in color. Due to specific color, lemon shark easily blends with the sand on the bottom of the sea (color provides camouflage). Lemon shark has white belly.
Lemon shark has flattened head and broad snout with curved teeth. Shape of the teeth prevents slipping of prey from the mouth.
Lemon fish has two dorsal fins on the back. They are equal in size.
Just like other sharks, lemon sharks have electroreceptors in the head which detect electromagnetic fields of marine creatures. Sharks use these receptors to locate the prey.
Besides electroreceptors, lemon shark has horizontal bend in the retina which facilitates visualization of the prey.
Lemon shark diet depends on the habitat and available food. They are carnivores (meat-eaters) which eat different kind of fish, crustaceans and mollusks. When the food sources are scarce, lemon fish can eat the members of its own species (a phenomenon known as cannibalism).
Despite their frightening look, lemon sharks rarely attack humans. Only several attacks have been reported so far and none of them was fatal.
Lemon shark is active mainly at dusk and dawn.
Lemon shark spends the day by sitting motionless on the sandy ocean floor. During that time, small reef fish remove parasites from their skin.
Lemon shark is a solitary fish that can be occasionally seen in groups of up to 20 members. Life in the group provides safety against predators.
Main predators of lemon sharks are large sharks. They usually target young lemon sharks.
Lemon shark migrates to nursery areas to mate. Mating season takes place in the spring.
Lemon sharks are viviparous animals (female gives birth to live babies). Pregnancy lasts 10 to 12 months and ends with 4 to 13 babies. Young lemon sharks spend few years of their life in mangroves where they are safe from large predators. At the age of 12 - 16 years, lemon shark becomes sexually mature.
Lemon shark can survive up to 27 years in the wild.


Related Links:
Facts
Animal Facts
Animals Facts