Sand Tiger Shark - Carcharias taurus

Sand Tiger Sharks aka Grey Nurse Sharks are found in tropical and temperate waters in the Atlantic, Indian and western Pacific Oceans. They stay primarily in the shallow water, usually in water less than 200 feet deep. They feed mainly of smaller fish and have been know to eat smaller sharks on occasion. The Sand Tiger Shark feeds mainly at night.

Identification of this species is fairly easy compared to some other species of shark. One of the most noticible features is that both dorsal fins and the anal fin are of a similar size. This is the only shark that I know of that gulps air at the surface and swallows the air into its stomach to act sort a swim bladder. A swim bladder is something that no shark has.

Although there have been attacks on humans by Sand Tigers it is not considered very dangerous to people. But the sinister appearance of this sharks mouth coupled with their large size doesn't help it in the PR department.

An interesting side note is the reproductive habits which are quite sinister. When the shark becomes pregnate young sharks still in the ovary feed on other eggs and their smaller brothers and sisters until only one remains in each of the ovaries. When nearly a year has passed the two sharks are born, and born relatively large which helps with their survival rate.