Sand tiger sharks are commonly known as Sand Tiger sharks, Raged-tooth sharks, or Gray Nurse sharks. The Sand sharks belong to the family of Mackerel sharks – the Odontaspididae. The Sand shark looks deceivingly ferocious because of their large body and sharp teeth which even protrude out from the closed mouth. There is much more interesting about sand sharks – let’s find out.
What Habitat Do Sand Sharks Prefer?
Sand sharks prefer to live especially in shallow waters in tropical or temperate regions. The Pacific Ocean, Adriatic, and Mediterranean Seas are the popular place to sight Sand sharks, usually at the depth of 20 to 200 meters or even more sometimes. These species live usually near the floor of the ocean but also visit the shoreline to gulp the atmospheric air.
What Is The Appearance Of The Sand Shark?
Sand sharks are greyish brown from the upper side and are pure white from the underside. These species have large bodies that can grow to a length of 6.5 to 10.5 feet and weigh around 200 to 350 pounds. The cone-shaped flattened snout is the distinguishing feature of the Sand shark. The tail has a notch with a large upper lobe than the lower one.
How Do Sand Sharks Hunt?
Like tigers, Sand sharks have a big appetite and vigorously grab the prey with their jagged teeth which protrude out even when the mouth is closed. These species are nocturnal means they actively hunt at night. In a meal, the favorite food of Sand sharks is small fishes, squids, lobsters, crustaceans, and crabs.
What Behavior Do Sand Sharks Exhibit?
Sand sharks are voracious but sluggish species that are always found resting on the floor. These species can store air in the stomach which provides them with buoyancy and to float motionlessly along the water current. Further, these species are not aggressive but attack only when provoked.
How Do Sand Sharks Reproduce?
The Sand shark reproduces by viviparous mode of reproduction, giving birth to one or two pups in each breeding season. When pups, the large shark poses a great threat to their survival but once mature, there is nothing to worry about predators. These species are thought to live for a maximum of 7 years.
What Is The Conservation Status Of Sand Sharks?
Even though these sharks have wide distribution, they are not fished heavily for consumption. These species have low reproduction rates which do not pose population pressure on them. As a result, the Sand tiger sharks are ranked as Vulnerable species in the red list of IUCN.
Final Verdict
Sand sharks are a member of the Mackerel family and prefer to live at the extreme depth. These species have cone-shaped flattened snouts which is a distinctive feature. The sharks have long pointed teeth that protrude out of the mouth, giving them a ferocious look. The Sand sharks are not very popular among the fisheries which is why they are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
