What are some interesting facts about lemon sharks?

They give birth to live baby sharks

One of the coolest facts about lemon sharks is that they are viviparous. This means that they give birth to live young called “pups” rather than laying eggs. They aren’t the only shark species to do so. A little over half of sharks give birth to live young and less than half lay eggs.

They live longer than a lot of other animals

Another cool fact is that lemon sharks can live around 30 years. This is in line with the lifespan of several other well known shark types. It’s quite a bit shorter than the Whale shark, which can live to be 100 years old!

They can get big. REALLY big

Lemon sharks are pretty heavy. They can weigh up to 550 pounds. They can also be fairly long. They are typically between 90 and 100 inches long, nearly 8 feet. The mails are often slightly shorter than the females. This makes them among the bigger members of the shark family.

They hate the cold

Lemon sharks like warm coastal waters. They are known to live off the coast of Mexico, the West Indies, and the Caribbean. They can also be found in South America along the Brazilian coast. In the United States, Florida is your best bet to see one of these yellow-hued beautiful sharks.

Not so cool: Lemon sharks have been hunted for fin soup for decades

One fact that is not-so-cool is that lemon sharks are often hunted by humans for their fins. The good news is that the more people are aware of how important it is to protect sharks for the part they play in a healthy ecosystem, the less they’ll be threatened. Right now, they are considered “near threatened” which means their numbers are a little lower than scientists would like them to be, but not currently not threatened with extinction in the wild.

Definitely not cool

Their habitats are being destroyed by human activity. It's not just hunting that’s a threat to the lemon shark. They often can be found in a habitat called the “Mangrove forest.” These lush underwater shrubs provide a habitat for many types of marine life. This includes both the lemon shark and the fish they eat. As humans develop more areas, some of these mangrove forests are disappearing, leaving nowhere for lemon sharks to hunt and live.

How friendly are lemon sharks?

Sharks aren’t really friendly animals. Unlike other marine life like dolphins and whales, they mainly want to hunt for food and eat, and don’t seem to be terribly curious to watch and learn from humans. However, the lemon shark is one of the less aggressive shark types. Only 10 shark attacks have ever been attributed to lemon sharks, and none of these were fatal. Lemon sharks often hang out in waters populated with swimmers and divers. Despite the fact that they have a lot of opportunities, it doesn’t appear that they would attack humans unless they felt very threatened.

Can lemon sharks hurt you?

Even though the lemon shark isn’t known to be an aggressive species, any shark could hurt you. Remember it’s not just their razor sharp teeth you have to worry about. Sharks can also strike with their tail, or run into you. If a fast moving 500 pound shark ran into you, chances are you are going to get hurt!

Are lemon sharks blind?

Lemon sharks are definitely not blind. Scientists have discovered that their eye structures contain a cool streak of retinal tissue that can detect color and detail underwater. However, sharks mainly use their sense of underwater smell to hunt for their prey.

Lemon sharks, like other types of sharks, can also detect fine vibrations in the water. They have amazing “electro sensors” that allow them to feel the presence of potential food or threats nearby. They will sometimes swim close to the ground to churn up smaller fish that may have been hiding underwater.

Are lemon sharks friendly?

When you think of the word “friendly” you are probably picturing a creature that is curious, and wants to observe or even mimic humans. You see this behavior in marine mammals like whales and dolphins.

Orca or Killer Whales will often “spy hop” above the water to observe humans in boats. Dolphins are often known to come out and swim alongside boats. Aquariums sometimes have trainers that can teach dolphins and whales to do tricks, and get rewards for behaviors.

Sharks are different. They evolved to be very good at hunting their prey, but aren’t well suited to forming a relationship with human beings.

Just because they aren’t friendly doesn’t mean you should be afraid of them. Usually, these sharks aren’t aggressive in any way, and scuba divers and snorkelers can enjoy watching them from a distance. Always remember to give them their space. Never try to touch or harass one of these beautiful animals.

Are lemon sharks aggressive?

Lemon sharks are often seen by divers and snorkelers. They do not seem to be interested in being aggressive to humans at all. There’s only been 10 lemon shark attacks ever recorded, so we know they aren’t likely to hurt you.

Still, any animal could become harmful if you surprise it, or worse try to bother it. If you like to scuba dive, be aware of your surroundings. Don’t make sudden or threatening movements around lemon sharks. Instead, take a picture and enjoy watching them do what they do best, swimming and hunting for fish!

Why is it called a lemon shark?

If you went scuba diving hoping to find a bright yellow shark that looks like a lemon, you’d be disappointed! Lemon sharks got their name from a more subtle yellow hue to their skin. You’re more likely to notice the yellowish hue when underwater conditions are bright and clear.This hue appears to have a purpose.

The yellowish hue blends in with the sandy surface of the ocean, allowing them to be camouflage. They can use this surprise to their advantage and find more food to eat. When food is scarce and hunting is difficult, any advantage can help these underwater animals survive!

Works Cited

https://www.sharks-world.com/how_long_do_sharks_live/ https://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/sharks/lemon-shark.htm https://oceana.org/marine-life/lemon-shark/ https://www.americanoceans.org/species/lemon-shark/