# Sand Tiger Shark (*Carcharias taurus*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Fish
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Coastal warm temperate waters worldwide — sandy nearshore from Japan to Australia and both Atlantic coasts.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/sand-tiger-shark/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Chondrichthyes
- **Order:** Lamniformes
- **Family:** Odontaspididae
- **Genus:** Carcharias

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Carcharias taurus |
| Diet | Carnivore — fish, squid, and smaller sharks |
| Habitat | Coastal waters worldwide — sandy nearshore |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years in the wild |
| Weight | 90–160 kg (200–350 lb); max about 190 kg |
| Top speed | Up to 35 km/h (22 mph) |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## 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.

## The gulping-air trick

Sand tiger sharks are the only sharks known to gulp air at the surface and hold it in their stomachs to achieve near-perfect buoyancy. This lets them hang almost motionless in the water, hovering silently above the seabed as they wait for prey. The ability makes them energy-efficient ambush hunters and is one reason they thrive in aquariums, where they can be seen suspended in mid-water. No other shark uses this method of controlling its depth.

## Hunting and diet

As a carnivore, the sand tiger shark preys on bony fish, squid, rays, and smaller sharks. It is mainly a nocturnal hunter, using its buoyancy and slow, deliberate swimming to sneak up on prey before a quick lunge. Sand tigers sometimes cooperate to herd schools of fish into tighter groups, making them easier to catch. Despite the fearsome dentition, their diet is dominated by fish they can swallow rather than large struggling prey.

## Habitat and range

Sand tiger sharks live in warm and temperate coastal waters around much of the world, favouring sandy nearshore zones, rocky reefs, and submerged ledges. They are typically found from the surf line down to depths of around 190 metres and often shelter in caves and gullies by day. Individuals may undertake seasonal migrations, moving toward the poles in summer and back toward the equator in winter. Their preference for shallow coastal water brings them into frequent contact with divers, who generally find them placid.

## Reproduction and embryo rivalry

Sand tiger sharks have one of the most extraordinary reproductive strategies in the animal kingdom, known as intrauterine cannibalism. The first embryo to develop in each of the two uteruses eats its smaller siblings before birth, so a female typically gives birth to just two well-developed pups. Each pup emerges around a metre long and ready to fend for itself. This low reproductive rate means populations recover very slowly from any decline.

## Why it is vulnerable

The sand tiger shark is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, largely because it produces so few young. Overfishing, accidental capture in nets, and historic culls near beaches have driven serious declines in several regions. With a wild lifespan of only about 12 to 15 years and just two pups per litter, the species cannot quickly replace lost numbers. Protective legislation now shields it in a number of countries, including much of its range in Australia and the United States.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are sand tiger sharks dangerous to humans?

Sand tiger sharks look intimidating but are generally docile and pose little threat to people. They are not considered man-eaters, and unprovoked attacks are extremely rare, which is why they are among the most common sharks kept in public aquariums.

### Why do sand tiger sharks gulp air?

Sand tiger sharks gulp air at the surface and store it in their stomachs to fine-tune their buoyancy. This allows them to hover almost motionless in the water without swimming, saving energy and helping them ambush prey. They are the only sharks known to do this.

### How big do sand tiger sharks get?

Sand tiger sharks typically reach about 3 metres in length and weigh 90 to 160 kg, with the largest individuals approaching 190 kg. Despite this size, they are slow, unhurried swimmers.

### What do sand tiger sharks eat?

Sand tiger sharks are carnivores that feed mainly on bony fish, squid, rays, and smaller sharks. They hunt mostly at night, using stealth and their long gripping teeth to seize prey, which they usually swallow whole.

### Why are sand tiger sharks endangered?

Sand tiger sharks are listed as Vulnerable because they breed extremely slowly, producing only two pups per litter. Overfishing, bycatch, and beach-protection culls have caused steep declines that the species struggles to recover from.

### Do sand tiger shark embryos eat each other?

Yes. In a process called intrauterine cannibalism, the largest embryo in each uterus consumes its smaller siblings before birth. As a result, a female usually gives birth to just two large, fully developed pups.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Carcharias taurus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Carcharias%20taurus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Carcharias taurus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Carcharias_taurus/)

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