Sand Tiger Sharks

Sharks are some of the most ancient animals of planet Earth, with a history that dates back almost half a billion years. Over this time, species have developed unique adaptations to thrive in a variety of habitats. The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is one such animal, and it’s actually the biggest animal we have here at Blue Planet Aquarium.

Sand Tiger Shark Overview

The sand tiger shark is a large species of shark that can grow up to 3.2 metres in length. They are referred to by several names, including the grey nurse shark and the spotted ragged-tooth shark.

The sand tiger shark is called as such because it spends most of its time swimming along the seabed. The tiger part comes from their jagged teeth that stick out, even when their mouth is shut.

Size and Appearance

Sand tiger sharks are a large species of shark that can weigh up to 160 kilos and reach lengths of 3.2 metres. Their bulky bodies are usually brownish-grey, and their snouts are a flattened cone shape, which allows them to detect electrical signals from prey in the murky, sandy water. Their enormous mouths are filled with over 250 teeth that protrude from their mouths, giving them a devious grin that extends back beyond their eyes.

Native Habitat and Distribution

Sand tiger sharks live in warm, temperate, and tropical coastal waters across the globe, with the exception of the Eastern Pacific. They tend to stay in shallow waters between 1 and 190 metres deep, such as sandy bays, rocky or coral reefs, shipwrecks, and surf zones, so you’re fairly likely to see one if diving or snorkelling in areas like Eastern Australia or the Mediterranean.

Impressive Behaviours and Adaptations

This incredible shark displays some seriously magnificent behaviours that allow them to thrive in their environment. For example, they are the only sharks to gulp air, which allows them to hover effortlessly on the seabed, reducing their energy output and giving them a significant hunting advantage. They make use of this advantage during the night, moving incredibly slowly to sneak up on unsuspecting prey.

Sand Tiger Shark Conservation Status

Sand tiger sharks are categorised as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List with numbers decreasing. The threats to this species are believed to be humans capturing them for food, medicines and products. Humans are also a competitor for their food source as overfishing continues. Their declining numbers aren’t helped by the fact that sand tiger sharks have one of the lowest reproductive rates for sharks.

See Us in Ocean Tunnel

The Ocean Tunnel is home to sand tiger sharks at Blue Planet Aquarium as well as a whole host of other wonderful sea creatures. We offer visitors the chance to dive with our sand tiger sharks during our shark diving experience. If you’d prefer to stay a little further away, you can simply walk through our Ocean Tunnel and experience the wonder of our sharks from a distance.