The lemon shark gets its name from its slightly yellow color. However, be aware that colors can be deceiving underwater ! Remember that in scuba diving, water absorbs colors and starting at 50 feet, yellow begins to turn green and disappears completely by 100 feet.
The lemon shark is distinctive for having two dorsal fins that are roughly the same size !
The lemon shark can reach up to 11 feet in length and weigh as much as 405 pounds. One of its distinguishing features is its two dorsal fins which are roughly the same size.
Range
The lemon shark is found in the subtropical coastal waters of the western and eastern Atlantic ocean, as well as the eastern Pacific ocean.
In the Atlantic ocean, its range extends from the eastern coast of the United States to the coast of Brazil, including Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. In the eastern Atlantic ocean, it is primarily found along the western coast of Africa, including Senegal and Ivory Coast.
Additionally, the lemon shark is present in the eastern Pacific ocean along the coasts of California and Mexico as well as in many Polynesian islands.
Habitat
The lemon shark inhabits waters from the surface down to 295 feet along coasts and coral reefs.
Diet
The lemon shark primarily feeds on a variety of fish but also consumes crustaceans and mollusks.
The lemon shark frequents coastal waters and coral reefs.
A close-up of a lemon shark revealing its particularly formidable dentition during the photo shoot !
Reproduction
Lemon sharks are viviparous. When females give birth, the pups, numbering between 4 and 17, are already about 24 inches long.
Did you know ?
The oldest lemon shark ever recorded was 25 years old !
The lemon shark in the faithful company of remoras !
The lemon shark is present in French Polynesia which declared the species protected in April 2006.
The lemon shark is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The lemon shark appears in the IUCN Red List since 2021 within the category Vulnerable !
Within the same family
Blue shark (Prionace glauca)
Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)
Copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus)
Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
Explore also
Blind shark (Brachaelurus waddi)
Raja epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti)
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Frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo)
Pyjama shark (Poroderma africanum)
Pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus)
Puffadder shyshark (Haploblepharus edwardsii)
The marine species from Caribbean sea
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Dive centers
'Les Ilets' dive center
Noa dive center
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