Sturgeon have been swimming the world for over 70 million years and currently over 20 species of sturgeon exist throughout the
Northern Hemisphere. The different species range in size from the 12-inch-long Amu-Darya sturgeon of central Asia to the nearly 18-foot-long
Beluga sturgeon of central Europe. Seven different species of sturgeon occur in North American waters and two of those are found on the Atlantic Coast.
The short-nosed sturgeon, and its larger cousin, the Atlantic sturgeon, are the only two sturgeon species on the Atlantic Coast.
Unlike the Atlantic sturgeon that frequents the Atlantic Ocean and its larger estuaries, the short-nosed sturgeon primarily lives in larger rivers from
Florida to New Brunswick, Canada, and rarely venture into the ocean. Both species are very similar in appearance, but the short-nosed is the
smaller of the two species. Shortnose sturgeon can grow up to 4 feet in length and about 25 pounds in Hemisphere. The different species
range in size from the 12-inch-long Amu-Darya sturgeon of central Asia to the nearly 18-foot-long Beluga sturgeon of central Europe. Seven
different species of sturgeon occur in North American waters and two of those are found on the Atlantic Coast. The short-nosed sturgeon,
and its larger cousin, the Atlantic sturgeon, are the only two sturgeon species on the Atlantic Coast. Unlike the Atlantic sturgeon that frequents
the Atlantic Ocean and its larger estuaries, the short-nosed sturgeon primarily lives in larger rivers from Florida to New Brunswick, Canada,
and rarely venture into the ocean. Both species are very similar in appearance, but the short-nosed is the smaller of the two species. Shortnose
sturgeon can grow up to 4 feet in length and about 25 pounds in sturgeon of central Europe. Seven different species of sturgeon occur in
North American waters and two of those are found on the Atlantic Coast. The short-nosed sturgeon, and its larger cousin, the Atlantic sturgeon,
are the only two sturgeon species on the Atlantic Coast. Unlike the Atlantic sturgeon that frequents the Atlantic Ocean and its larger estuaries,
the short-nosed sturgeon primarily lives in larger rivers from Florida to New Brunswick, Canada, and rarely venture into the ocean. Both species
are very similar in appearance, but the short-nosed is the smaller of the two species. Shortnose sturgeon can grow up to 4 feet in length and
about 25 pounds in weight. While the larger Atlantic sturgeon may reach up to 14 feet in length and weigh more than 600 pounds. Sturgeon have
a very distinctive appearance. Sturgeon have some unique adaptations to their body that differentiate it from your average fish.
The skeleton of their body is made of cartilage, but they have a dense skull made of bone. The skin lacks traditional
scales, but rather has five rows of bony plates called scutes that serve as protective armor along their bodies. Sturgeon also have relatively
large fins and a strong sharklike tail that allows them to swim great distances and navigate swift rivers.