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Sea Creatures 101: Shark Series: The Lemon Shark: A Model Shark

© Sharon Rorem

Model? As in perfect? Well, not really. Let's say the lemon shark is a model - as in generic- shark, if such a thing exists. Lemon sharks are studied by scientists to find out more about sharks. It's called a "lemon" shark because of the color of its skin. Most sharks are brown, tan, or grayish in color. There are a few exceptions, like the Goblin shark (next month's featured shark.) The lemon shark is deep yellow with an off-white stomach area. It has long, curved, pointed teeth just right for grabbing slippery fish, like barracuda. In fact, barracuda are often used to attract lemon sharks to the surface.

Lemon sharks are part of a group of sharks called requiem sharks. Other types of requiem sharks include tiger and nurse sharks. Requiem sharks live in tropical waters and are aggressive eaters. A lemon shark eats mostly fish, but it will also eat stingrays, crabs, lobsters, and fish. A typical lemon shark can reach 8-10 feet, but has been known to grow to 12 feet in length. A female lemon shark could give birth to as many as 36 "pups", each around 18 inches long. Once born, the baby sharks are on their own, and should get away from Mama ASAP! The mama shark has no idea what these small things are that came out of her, and she could just as well turn around and eat them. All sharks are this way. There is no bonding whatsoever with mother and babies.

Sharks are elusive and transitory creatures. Tracking mating behavior, life span, and eating habits of sharks can be difficult for scientists. Requiem sharks are especially difficult to study, and that's where the lemon shark comes in. Lemon sharks can be found in many areas- Latin America, Brazil, Caribbean, even as far north as New Jersey. They swim near the surface, and are believed to return to their place of birth like eels and salmon. A scientist can gather data on shark migratory patterns, life cycles, and breeding habits by netting a lemon shark and tagging it. The tag is a tracking device that can show a scientist where the shark travels. At the same time it is tagged, a small bit of the shark's fin is cut off. The fin will heal quickly in salt water and the shark will not be harmed. This is for DNA sampling. While this is going on, another scientist may be removing some of the contents of the shark's stomach. That helps identify diet. The tagging and sampling process lasts about three minutes. That length of time out of the water will not harm the shark.