Fin's Fish Guide
The Sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Odontaspididae that grows up to 330 cm.
Widespread in warm and temperate coastal seas worldwide, including the Mediterranean Sea, near sandy bottoms, reefs and wrecks.
Description
The sand tiger shark is a large, bulky shark of the family Odontaspididae reaching about 3.3 metres. The grey-brown body with faint rusty spots has a flat snout and a grinning mouth full of long, protruding, needle-like teeth, which make it look more dangerous than it is. The sand tiger can gulp air and hold it in its stomach to hang almost motionless in the water. The species lives near sand bottoms, reefs and wrecks of warm and temperate coastal seas worldwide, including the Mediterranean. It hunts mainly at night for fish, small sharks and rays, squid and crustaceans. Because of its very slow reproduction and heavy fishing it is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Sand tiger shark?
The Sand tiger shark has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Large, ungainly shark with a flat snout and a grinning mouth full of protruding, needle-like teeth; can gulp air to hover motionless.
Where does the Sand tiger shark live?
The Sand tiger shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Widespread in warm and temperate coastal seas worldwide, including the Mediterranean Sea, near sandy bottoms, reefs and wrecks.
How big does the Sand tiger shark get?
The Sand tiger shark grows to a maximum of about 330 cm. On average the species is around 250 cm.
Is the Sand tiger shark dangerous to humans?
The Sand tiger shark can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. Not venomous, but a predatory shark with sharp teeth: keep your distance from a hooked or landed shark and handle only with proper equipment.
Is the Sand tiger shark edible?
The Sand tiger shark is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Sand tiger shark and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Odontaspididae
Want the complete picture on the Sand tiger shark?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sand tiger shark is one of 12,519 species in the app.