Sand Tiger Shark

ID points

• Mouth full of slender pointed teeth flaring outwards, showing even when closed
• Two dorsal fins of similar size, both set well back
• Pale brown spots scattered on the flanks, swims slowly

Basics

Family

Odontaspididae

Length

2.0–3.2 m

Depth

0-190 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs · Caribbean & W. Atlantic · Temperate & polar

Distribution

Inshore waters worldwide, from temperate to tropical seas

Habitat

Sandy inshore reefs and gutters

Diet

Fish, squid

Easily confused with

CodA single prominent short barbel under the chinLemon SharkYellow-brown colour, very close to that of the sandy bottomSilky SharkFine dense skin scales that feel unusually smooth

Fun fact

The sand tiger shark shows a mouthful of curved, needle like teeth even with its jaws shut, which makes it look far fiercer than it behaves. It deliberately gulps air at the surface and holds it in its stomach to stay neutrally buoyant, the only shark known to hover this way.