Shark Pup ID help please

[robfern]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if you could help ID this little guy:

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I was wading out on a beach at the Abacos Bahamas in the late August, early September time frame.

He came right up to me in about 2-3 feet of water. He was only about 3 feet long, and was as curious about me as I was of him. I followed him a bit with my camera, but didn't get anything better than this shot.

We were relatively close to some deep boating channels so I guess he was just checking out the shoreline, but we did get to see many stingrays, lionfish (tons!), a barricuda, and many tropical fish right up on that same shoreline. Great beach for snorkeling.

Anyhow, my friends are arguing between Nurse and Bull shark pup, but alas nothing conclusive.

Any thoughts?

 

[ScubaRich]

It looks like a nurse shark. You can tell by the tail and double dorsal fin. It's not a Bull that's for sure.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

I am not sure if it is a Nurse...the "2nd dorsal" looks too far away.

It could be a Lemon. They like the shallows and hug the bottom.

Since you had some up close contact, what did the head/mouth area look like?

Here is a link to ELASMODIVER.COM http://www.elasmodiver.com/sharkive%20index.htm#Shark%20Families They are a good resource to help identify sharks and rays.


Carolyn:shark2:

 

[schnitz011]

I would agree with Carolyn. Most likely a lemon shark. The structure of the caudal(tail) fin has 2 distinct heterocercal lobes like that of the lemon. The nurse has amore blended tail fin structure,

 

[ScubaRich]

I stand corrected, (I think) I agree it looks more like a lemon.

 

[SSharkk]

From what I can see in the photograph I would lay serious odds it is a young lemon shark Negaprion brevirostris.

If you would like to help save these spendid sharks along Florida's coasts go here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/urgent-help-needed-to-protect-lemon-sharks and sign the petition as soon as possible. Time to sign is very short.

 

[robfern]

For some reason I just now got emails about these responses.....weird!

Anyhow, thank you so much for your responses.

Carolyn, I did not get a good look at his head/mouth as you asked. He got to within about 5 feet of me, but he decided that was close enough and turned around. That was just enough time for me to raise my camera and take a shot of him while he was turning, thus this photo. I then followed him as he went away.

I just so happened to be taking a photo-taking walk at the time.

The cool thing was that immediately after this encounter, I started to go back to shore to tell my friends when a large sting ray flew right past me as well.

It's crazy what can happen out there.

Thanks for all your time.

robfern