The lemon shark is named for its distinct yellow-brown to olive skin color, which helps them camouflage in the sandy, tropical waters they inhabit.
Lemon sharks are found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, from Virginia to southern Brazil, as well as parts of the Pacific. These sharks prefer a defined home range and are often seen aggregating together. The average adult shark can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) and can be distinguished by its stocky build and two similarly sized dorsal fins.
Their ability to camouflage along with their flattened head and short snout, makes the lemon shark a skillful predator of bony fish, crustaceans, and stingrays. Occasionally, this species has also been observed eating seabirds or smaller sharks! They live and hunt in waters around coral reefs and mangrove forests, with females seeking shelter in shallow nursery waters during spring or summer to give birth. Once born, pups remain in the nursery for several years, sheltered from larger predators, and feed on nutrients from nearby mangroves.