Sandtiger Shark Jaw

Sandtiger jaw prepared by Dr. Gordon Hubbell.

NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

The Sandtiger Shark (Carcharias taurus), also known as the Grey Nurse Shark in Australia or the Ragged-Tooth Shark in Africa, is a species found in subtropical and temperate waters worldwide. It is known for its bulky body, conical snout, and a distinctive array of sharp, protruding teeth that give it a ferocious appearance.

Key Characteristics of the Sandtiger Shark:

1. Appearance: Sandtiger Sharks have a stout, heavy body with a brownish-grey color on the top and a white underside. The most striking feature is their mouth, filled with long, needle-like teeth that are visible even when the mouth is closed.

2. Size: They typically grow to about 2.5 to 3.2 meters (8.2 to 10.5 feet) in length.

3. Habitat: This shark prefers coastal waters, often found near the ocean floor in bays, estuaries, and around coral reefs. They are commonly seen at depths of up to 191 meters (627 feet), but they can dive deeper.

4. Diet: Their diet mainly consists of small fish, squid, crustaceans, and occasionally other sharks.

5. Behavior: Sandtiger Sharks are slow-moving but effective predators. They are known for their unique method of buoyancy control: swallowing air at the surface and holding it in their stomachs, which allows them to float motionless in the water.

6. Reproduction: They have a unique reproductive process where the embryos practice intrauterine cannibalism, with the strongest embryo consuming its siblings in the womb. Females give birth to one or two large, well-developed pups.

Despite their fierce appearance, Sandtiger Sharks are generally docile towards humans and are a popular species in public aquariums due to their ability to adapt to captivity. Their unique characteristics and behaviors make them a fascinating subject of study in marine biology.

Carcharias taurus

13"x 9.5"