Sand Tiger Shark (Odontaspis taurus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Odontaspis taurus
- Common name
- Sand Tiger Shark
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Odontaspididae
- Genus
- Odontaspis
- Size
- 160–320 cm
- Depth
- 3–625 m
- IUCN status
- Endangered (EN)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, sandy-bottom, open-water
- Behaviours
- pelagic, fast-swimmer, solitary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean
Description
Large shark (160-320 cm) steel-grey with white underside. Large teeth visible at closed mouth are distinctive. Pelagic-benthic habitat (3-625 m) Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indo-Pacific. Energetic fast swimmer, often solitary. Conservation: endangered, bycatch and trade threats. Diving: rare, intermittent coastal behaviour.
Photo of Sand Tiger Shark
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Sand Tiger Shark?
- Sand Tiger Shark (Odontaspis taurus) reaches 160–320 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Sand Tiger Shark?
- Sand Tiger Shark is found between 3–625 m deep.
- Is the Sand Tiger Shark dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Sand Tiger Shark?
- IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
- Where can you find the Sand Tiger Shark?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean.
Similar species
- Haemulon flavolineatum - French grunt
- Haemulon sciurus - Bluestriped grunt
- Haemulon plumierii - White grunt
- Haemulon parra - Sailor's choice
- Carcharhinus melanopterus - Blacktip reef shark
- Hippocampus guttulatus - Long-snouted seahorse
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 298725)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2420777)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia