Ginglymostomatidae

Ginglymostomatidae is a family of carpet sharks belonging to the order Orectolobiformes. The family name is derived from the Greek words "ginglymos" meaning hinge and "stoma" meaning mouth, referring to the hinge-like jaw structure of these sharks. This family currently contains three recognized genera: Ginglymostoma, Nebrius, and Pseudoginglymostoma.

Members of the Ginglymostomatidae family are characterized by their elongated, flattened bodies, broad heads, and the presence of two dorsal fins situated far back on the body. They typically possess barbels near their nostrils. These sharks are generally benthic, meaning they inhabit the seafloor, and are often found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They are known for their slow-moving nature and their diet, which primarily consists of crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.

The most well-known species within this family is the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, which is widely distributed in the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. Other notable species include the tawny nurse shark, Nebrius ferrugineus, found in the Indo-Pacific region, and the short-tail nurse shark, Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum. While generally considered harmless to humans, their powerful jaws and tendency to rest on the seafloor can lead to accidental bites if provoked or disturbed. Their reproductive strategy is ovoviviparous, with eggs developing internally and live young being born.