Tawny Shark, Nebrius ferrugineus (Lesson, 1830)
Scientific name: Nebrius ferrugineus
Alternative name/s:
Madame X, Rusty Catshark, Rusty Shark, Sleepy Shark, Spitting Shark, Tawney Nurse Shark, Tawney Shark
Madame X, Rusty Catshark, Rusty Shark, Sleepy Shark, Spitting Shark, Tawney Nurse Shark, Tawney Shark
Click to enlarge image
A Tawny Shark in a cave, surrounded by Shadowfin Soldierfish at a depth around 10m at Blue Magic, Kri, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia on October 13, 2009. The photograph was taken at on a reef offshore from Waigeo. The tear-drop-shaped reef rises from depths of over 40m to about 10m at the shallowest.
Image: Guido Zsilavcz
© Guido Zsilavcz
© Guido Zsilavcz
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Nebrius
- Species
- ferrugineus
- Family
- Ginglymostomatidae
- Order
- Orectolobiformes
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
-
- Size Range
- It grows to about 3.2 m in length.
Introduction
The movie opens with footage of Zebra Sharks, but moves on to show Tawny Shark behaviour and feeding.
Habitat
Tropical inshore waters to depths of 70 m.
Distribution
In Australia the species occurs in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Edition 2. CSIRO. Pp. 644, Pl. 1-91.
