# How Long Do Sand Tiger Sharks Live?

> Sand Tiger Shark lifespan is typically 12–15 years in the wild. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Vulnerable).

- **Species:** Sand Tiger Shark (*Carcharias taurus*)
- **Conservation status:** Vulnerable
- **Diet:** Carnivore — fish, squid, and smaller sharks
- **Habitat:** Coastal waters worldwide — sandy nearshore
- **Lifespan:** 12–15 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** Up to 35 km/h (22 mph)
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sand-tiger-shark/how-long-do-sand-tiger-shark-live/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sand-tiger-shark/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The sand tiger shark is a large, slow-moving coastal shark found in warm and temperate seas worldwide, often seen hovering motionless in aquariums. Despite a mouthful of jagged teeth and a fierce appearance, it is docile and rarely dangerous to people. It grows to about 3 metres, weighs 90 to 190 kg, lives 12 to 15 years, and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a prognosis for one named animal. This page is a species lifespan range.

## Appearance and teeth

The sand tiger shark has a stout, brownish-grey body, a pointed snout, and small eyes, often speckled with reddish or dark spots along the flanks. Its most striking feature is its mouth, which stays slightly open to reveal rows of long, narrow, backward-curving teeth even when relaxed. These needle-like teeth are perfect for gripping slippery fish but are not designed for cutting, which is why the shark swallows most prey whole or in large pieces. This toothy grin gives it a menacing look that belies its calm nature.

## Help protect the Sand Tiger Shark

Ocean wildlife is under mounting pressure from overfishing, bycatch and plastic pollution.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sand-tiger-shark/how-long-do-sand-tiger-shark-live/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.