Common Name: Sand Tiger Shark
Scientific Name: Carcharias taurus
Also Known As: Grey Nurse Shark, Spotted Ragged-Tooth Shark
Description: Pale gray in color with a white underside, Sand Tiger Sharks have a stout body and a short pointed snout. With sharp ragged, and protruding teeth, the Sand Tiger has a dangerous appearance that is deceptive, as this is a placid, and often even timid, Shark.
Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Odontaspididae
Genus: Carcharias
Maximum Size: 320cm
Habitat & Range: Sand Tiger Sharks are found in all warm water seas except for the eastern Pacific Ocean. They inhabit coastal reef areas and can be found anywhere from 0-400 feet. They are often found in rocky coastal areas in cool to warm water.
Diet: Sand Tiger Sharks eat a variety of small bony fish, along with other small sharks, skates, and rays..
Lifespan: 15 or more years in the wild.
Predators: Juveniles can be at risk from other sharks. Adults have no predators in the sea.
Red List Status: Vulnerable
Sources:
Sand Tiger Shark (2008, August 28) FishBase
Sand Tiger Shark (2008, August 28) Florida Museum of Natural History
Sand Tiger Shark (2008, August 28) National Geographic