Sand Tiger / Ragged Tooth Shark – Carcharias taurus

Where to See Them

South Africa
Shark Week Durban

Alternative Names

Ragged-tooth shark, Raggie, Raggy, Spotted ragged-tooth shark, grey nurse shark, sand shark

Diet

A Ragged Tooth shark’s diet consists of mainly bony fish, small sharks, rays, squid and crustaceans.

Maximum Size

Ragged Tooth Sharks can grow up to 3.2m / 10.5 ft.

Danger to Humans

Low risk

Ragged Tooth Sharks are considered low risk and are very popular to dive with and see in the wild. Attacks on divers are rare and a Ragged Tooth shark will normally only strike out in defense if cornered or threatened. Ragged Tooth sharks have been known to steal fish from a spear gun so obviously this presents a danger and is accepted by spearfishermen.

Where they roam

Ragged Tooth Sharks roam Warm temperate to tropical waters. The Ragged Tooth Shark roams mainly in the Surf Zone and by reefs. The Ragged Tooth Shark is most commonly present in the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean sea although rare there. They can be seen in the USA, South Africa, Lebanon, Japan and Australia. They have been tracked down to depths of 190m / 624ft

The Sand Tiger Shark is most likely the most exhibited shark of all being present in most aquariums worldwide. This shark does look very menacing with its clearly visible rows of needle like teeth but is actually virtually harmless to humans. Over the years their appearance has been their worst asset as they have been targeted by spearfishermen and fishermen. Ragged Tooth sharks also adapt very well when held in captivity and given the right conditions will reproduce and live healthy lives in an aquarium. Ragged Tooth sharks are protected in many countries now fortunately and hopefully with education and awareness we can stop their decline and save this beautiful shark from extinction. The Ragged Tooth shark is a very unique shark because it actually stores air inside its stomach to aid buoyancy. By swallowing air and storing it the sharks can hover motionless in the water with neutral buoyancy. The Ragged Tooth Shark has a bronze top side with a pale underside. It has a hunched back and pointed head and larger females have a large girth. Ragged Tooth Sharks are born with spots throughout the body and the spots fade with maturity. A Ragged Tooth shark’s teeth are not serrated but are needle like which enable it to catch its prey.

The Ragged Tooth Shark is harmless unless threatened or cornered. They are more active at night and will not really show interest in you if you are diving in their waters.

The Ragged Tooth Shark is most commonly present in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean sea, although they are rare here. Ragged Tooth Sharks exist is all water levels but are more common in the Surf Zone and reefs and are found in waters as deep as 190m / 624ft.

The female gives birth to approximately 2 pups max and they are approximately 100cm / 39in in length and grow up to 3.2m / 10.5ft. The females tend to grow larger than males.

Stricken by fear?

It is not uncommon to see up to four different shark species on a dive. The shark populations have been decimated by foreign trawlers and local sport fishing charters but there are still many Ragged Tooth sharks to see on a dive.