Lemon shark - yellow-skinned toothy predator, an amazing creation of the oceans. She lives in the waters of the Caribbean Sea near the Bahamas archipelago and the Gulf of Mexico, periodically swims to the Atlantic.
The sharp-toothed short-winged fish received this name for its light brown color of a three-meter body, which helps it to hide on sandbanks. Huge eyes on the wide face of the predator do not help to orient themselves better, because this species has very poor eyesight, but the electropulse receptors located on the snout will not allow anything living to go unnoticed from the water area of these predators.
Distinctive features
- Not a very aggressive disposition, which allows you to watch her completely calmly.
- Unique skin color that disguises it under the sandy bottom.
- Excellent tolerance to changes in salt content in water.
Habitat
The most suitable places for her stay are island and continental coastal highlands, coral reefs, bays located at the mouths of rivers. Lemon shark prefers a sandy or rocky bottom. Basically, the depth of its habitats is not more than 90 meters. Its feed base is located there, in addition, water is much warmer here.
Species of fish in Mexico: lemon shark
So what's so unusual about this shark? Why is it so interesting to researchers? Sulfur-fin lemon shark is able to successfully adapt to changes in salt concentrations, therefore, periodically swims in rivers.
Also, these carnivores can lie calmly at the bottom, passing water through their gills, without patrolling the ocean relentlessly. A shark, leading a solitary life, often swims in shallow water, where it lies motionless in the sand. At the same time, it merges with it so much that even a huge adult fish is not easy to notice.
Lemon shark is also interesting for its character, as it is well tamed and very inquisitive, in addition, it has a wonderful memory. This species is vengeful. There was a case when, after contact with a Caribbean shark in reefs, a yellow offender bit her side, after which she violently attacked every reef representative swimming in this territory.
In general, a small-winged individual to attack is quite simple to provoke. They react very sensitively to every sudden movement and attack without delay. Therefore, these predators take their rightful place among sharks, deadly to humans.
Yellow-skinned killers are also attracted by the sounds of ship propeller blades. They produce waves of certain specific frequencies, apparently resembling communication signals. Periodically, lemon beauties sailed into freshwater rivers for boats.
Scientists and lemon sharks
These short-winged fish in the USA are kept in captivity for testing on them cardiac glycosides, narcotic drugs and the study of sensory structures. Interestingly, the scientists managed to obtain the offspring of a predator in captivity.
Lemon shark can be trained - the intelligence of 2 tamed individuals gave them the opportunity to receive food using the key located on the bottom of their pool. Predators pressed a button with a snout, a bell rang, after which employees threw meat into the pool. In general, lemon sharks have the highest intelligence among these species.
These predators are viviparous. One individual in its life produces about ten cubs ready for hunting. Their puberty occurs in the twelfth year of life. In females, the birth takes place at a shallow depth. Interestingly, pregnant sharks swim to the Bahamas to give birth to their young. Kids in shallow water live for about ten years, then they move away from the coast and rush for reproduction to a depth.
Lemon sharks hunt at a meter depth, while the daily dose of food for an adult is 5% of its body weight. This species is omnivorous - they found glass bottles, rubber tires, watches in their stomachs. But preference is still given to mollusks and bony fishes. At the same time, lemon sharks periodically catch seabirds, as well as attack sharks of other species.
Survival conditions
Today, these sharks are endangered. This is due to hunting for them, as meat, fins and skin are very highly valued. And also with cutting down mangroves, in which toothy babies find shelter from powerful adult predators. So, in the Bahamas, mangroves are cut out and erected by golf clubs, thereby destroying populations of coastal zones.
The sharp-toothed lemon shark, an intelligent ancient creature, will find a way to protect and preserve its own appearance. She was able to survive the ice age, capture the world’s water area, and today she will find a way for her salvation. And millions more years will be patrolling the salty dark waters of the ocean.