The Lemon Shark

Description

The Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris), which can reach up to 3.5 meters in length, gets its name from its coloration, which ranges from yellow to green depending on the light in the water. This feature helps it blend into sandy bottoms while hunting. Its distinctive characteristics—piercing, cat-like eyes and two equally sized dorsal fins—make it easily recognizable. Contrary to common beliefs about sharks, this species is not considered a threat to humans. Social and curious by nature, Lemon Sharks often rest on the sea floor to observe divers and may even allow gentle contact.

Habitat

Female Lemon Sharks give birth in protected nurseries along the coast to avoid predators. After three to four years, juveniles move into the open ocean, preferring shallow, warm waters of tropical and subtropical regions. They are commonly found near mangroves, river mouths, and coral reefs. These habitats provide both abundant food and essential shelter for reproduction and juvenile growth.

Threats

This cartilaginous fish is classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its main threat comes from humans. Lemon Sharks are captured for multiple purposes:

Food: Their meat and fins are consumed in South America, the United States, Asia, and Central America.
Commercial use: Their skin is used to make leather, and their jaws are sold as souvenirs in local shops.
Recreational fishing: They are caught through practices such as longlining or gillnetting.
Tourism and aquaria: Lemon Sharks adapt well to captivity and can live for extended periods in aquariums.