sand tiger sand tiger ragged tooth species shark family worldwide distribution tropical warm temperate waters usually inhabit rocky habitats occasionally encountered shallow water known return location year year rare species mistaken common grey nurse shark distinguished dorsal fin larger second placed forward grows length little known biology behavior sand tiger active predator benthic bony fishes invertebrates fishes species thought embryos like sharks contrast formidable size appearance shark harmless having known behave aggressively humans concern numbers declining human activities mediterranean existing data inadequate assessment conservation status taxonomy phylogeny sand tiger originally described italian french naturalist based specimen nice france australian specimens separating basis absence spots species subsequently discovered pacific specimens blurred distinguishing characters specific epithet latin fierce common names shark include blue nurse shark fierce shark nurse shark sand tiger shark phylogenetic study based mitochondrial dna performed suggests sand tiger relative sand tiger closely related sharks grey nurse shark bears strong resemblance true indicate similarities species grey nurse shark arose result evolution fossil teeth belonging sand tiger found deposits italy venezuela description sand tiger body long slightly flattened snout eyes medium sized large round pupils opposed like grey nurse shark lack membranes mouth large filled projecting teeth tooth narrow tall central flanked pairs lateral tooth rows upper jaw tooth rows lower jaw large teeth upper jaw separated lateral teeth intermediate teeth fins broad based angular shape dorsal fin larger second placed closer pectoral fins pelvic fins caudal fin strongly upper lobe longer lower coloration gray gray brown lighter juveniles uniform color darker fin margins adults exhibit dark spots vary widely pattern size density coloration appears vary region individuals mediterranean displaying pattern sand tiger maximum length maximum weight unconfirmed reports larger individuals colombia distribution habitat sand tigers caught widely scattered locations world indicating possibly distribution known south morocco including mediterranean_sea azores western atlantic reported north_carolina florida usa mexico brazil occurs indian_ocean south_africa madagascar west east northern pacific known japan hawaii california colombia southern pacific known eastern australia new_zealand typically regarded species sand tiger caught depth usually found near rocky boulder regions continental shelves upper continental slope submarine ridges mountains reports species near drop offs rocky coral reefs upper layers open ocean mediterranean sand tigers occur depths including depths accessible divers seen swimming sandy flats temperature range favored species hot climates found cooler water biology ecology sand tiger strong swimming shark encountered singly individuals catch records suggest species cover long distances oceanic waters underwater ridges large liver allows maintain neutral water column minimal effort location called shark point lebanon small groups sand tigers appear summer rocky reefs depth individuals documented returning site year year purpose unknown speculated relate mating confronted sharks observed stall mouths turn shake tails perceived threat adult sand tigers known predators sharks known parasite shark spiral valve long female found islands contained number inside heart body cavity muscles unknown contributed shark death feeding compared grey nurse shark sand tiger robust lacks specialized cutting crushing teeth suggesting tends tackle smaller prey diet sand tiger consists dwelling bony fishes invertebrates squid shrimp possibly marine fishes including rays largest known prey item taken species long shark found inside stomach long male life history pregnant sand tigers found species presumed sharks described female contained hundreds right support embryos embryos grey nurse shark unknown size birth estimated recorded exceptions juveniles found deep water adults present depth serve reduce predation young individuals large shallow water predators great white shark males mature length females length faint seen individuals related courtship human interactions encounters divers shown despite size sand tigers react aggressively closely approached species taken captures occur mediterranean japan usually discarded caught japan meat consumed considered inferior grey nurse shark liver oil utilized fins jaws value discoveries beginning 1970s sand tigers shallow water raised urgent conservation concerns species apparently vulnerable human activity previously believed present insufficient data assess worldwide conservation status species assessed vulnerable australian waters decline catches new_south_wales 1970s populations species mediterranean believed declined combination habitat degradation pollution human disturbance sand tiger protected australian government came concurrently protection grey nurse shark australian waters prevent claims confusing species regulations proven difficult enforce
Smalltooth sand tiger