{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "sand-tiger-shark",
  "name": "Sand Tiger Shark",
  "scientificName": "Carcharias taurus",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "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.",
  "conservationStatus": "Vulnerable",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Chondrichthyes",
    "order": "Lamniformes",
    "family": "Odontaspididae",
    "genus": "Carcharias"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 150,
    "lengthM": 3,
    "topSpeedKmh": 35,
    "lifespanYears": 15
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Carcharias taurus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore — fish, squid, and smaller sharks"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Coastal waters worldwide — sandy nearshore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "12–15 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "90–160 kg (200–350 lb); max about 190 kg"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 35 km/h (22 mph)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Vulnerable (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Coastal warm temperate waters worldwide — sandy nearshore from Japan to Australia and both Atlantic coasts.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa",
      "Asia",
      "Europe",
      "North America",
      "Oceania",
      "South America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Carcharias taurus.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Carcharias%20taurus&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Carcharias taurus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Carcharias_taurus/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sand-tiger-shark/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sand-tiger-shark/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}