Sand Tiger Shark
Sand tiger sharks are also known as sand tigers and gray nurse sharks. Like all sharks, they breathe underwater, through their gills. But sand tigers have one unique habit. They are the only sharks that come to the surface to gulp air, but not to breathe. The air ends up in its stomach. The air makes the shark more buoyant, so it can float motionless in the water as it watches for prey.
- Common Name:
- Sand Tiger Shark
- Scientific Name:
- Carcharias taurus
- Type:
- Fish
- Diet:
- Carnivore
- Group Name:
- School, shoal
- Size:
- 6.5 to 10.5 feet
- Weight:
- 200 to 350 pounds
Sand tigers generally hunt at night; just above the ocean floor. Sand tiger sharks like the shallow water close to shore and so have "sand" in their name. The "tiger" was inspired by their big appetite. Sand tiger sharks look ferocious, with a row of jagged teeth that you can see even when their mouths are closed! However, these fish are not very aggressive toward people and bother people only when people bother them first. Many aquariums keep sand tiger sharks in their shark exhibits because they're so impressive looking and survive well in captivity.
On the top of its body, a sand tiger is brownish-gray and often sprinkled with darker spots. Its belly is whitish.
Some kinds of sharks lay eggs; others, like the sand tiger, give birth to live young called pups. A newborn can swim and eat right away. When young their main danger is bigger sharks, but once they grow to their full size, they no longer have major predators to worry about.