Sand Tiger Shark

Picture of Sand Tiger Shark

Description of the Sand Tiger Shark

The Sand Tiger Shark is also known by the names Sand Shark, Nurse Shark and Ragged tooth shark. It is the only species of shark to rise to the surface for air which they store in their stomach. This air enables them to float motionless in the water when hunting for their prey. They have a swim bladder which enables them to control their buoyancy, a very unusual feature for sharks. It is generally a placid and slow moving shark and will only usually attack in self defence.

Picture of a Sand Tiger Shark

Sand Tiger Shark

Facts - Information - Picture

Popular Name: Sand Tiger Shark
Species: Carcharias taurus

Profile of the Sand Tiger Shark
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Sand Tiger Shark species.

  • Size: Up to 3.5m

  • Diet / Feeding: Young Fish, Crustaceans, Squid, Young Sharks and Rays

  • Temperament: Placid, usually only attack when provoked but will impale its prey with needle thin teeth!

  • Habitat: 60m to 190m

  • Range: Atlantic and Indian Oceans

Scientific Classification of the Sand Tiger Shark
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

  • Species: Carcharias taurus

  • Popular Name: Sand Tiger Shark - Sand Shark - Ragged Tooth Shark - Grey Nurse Shark - Spotted Ragged Tooth Shark

  • Kingdom: Animalia

  • Phylum: Chordata

  • Class: Chondrichthyes

  • Order: Lamniformes

  • Family: Odontaspididae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Sand Tiger Shark?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

 

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Sand Tiger Shark slimy?
Sand Tiger Shark secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Sand Tiger Shark to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information -
Why do Sand Tiger Shark have gills?
Gills enable the Sand Tiger Shark to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information -
Why do the Sand Tiger Shark have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

  • Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Sand Tiger Shark has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

  • Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Sand Tiger Shark has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

  • Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Sand Tiger Shark has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

  • Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Sand Tiger Shark has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Sand Tiger Shark

Sand Tiger Shark

  • Interesting Information about Sand Tiger Shark

  • Facts about Fish Species - Why are Sand Tiger Shark slimy?

  • Why do the Sand Tiger Shark have gills?

  • Facts about Fish Species - Why do the Sand Tiger Shark have fins?

  • Species: Carcharias taurus

Fish Species

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