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Shortnose SturgeonShortnose Sturgeon in North Carolina

SHORTNOSE STURGEON

Acipenser brevirostrum

STATUS: Endangered

DESCRIPTION: The shortnose sturgeon is usually less than 3 feet long. It is dark above and light below. It has a wide mouth pointed downward beneath a short snout. Five rows of sharp, pointed plates along the sides of its body provide protection from predators.
 

DISTRIBUTION: The shortnose sturgeon lives in Atlantic Seaboard rivers from southern Canada to northeastern Florida.
 

HABITAT AND CHARACTERISTICS: The sturgeon inhabits the lower sections of larger rivers and coastal waters along the Atlantic coast. It may spend most of the year in brackish or salt water and move into fresh water only to spawn. The fish feeds on invertebrates (shrimp, worms, etc.) and stems and leaves of macrophytes.

Species Distribution from known occurrences. Species may occur in similar habitats in other counties.Green counties indicate observed within 20 years. Yellow counties indicate an obscure data reference to the species in the county. Red counties indicate observed more than 20 years ago.

shortnosestu.gif - North Carolina county map with species locations

Species Location Map based on information provided by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. shortsturg.jpg - dorsal view of shortnose sturgeon
For additional information regarding this Web page, contact Mike Wicker, in Raleigh, NC, at mike_wicker@fws.gov

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