Sand sharks, also known as sand tigers or ragged toothed sharks, are lamniform sharks of the family Odontaspididae (or sometimes - but incorrectly - referred to as Carchariidae). They are found on both sides of the Atlantic coast, but most notably in the Western Indian Ocean and in the Gulf of Maine. There are four species in two genera.

Anatomy

Sand sharks have a large second dorsal fin. They typically grow to 5 to 9 ft. on average. The body tends to be brown in color with dark markings in the upper half. They possess a rudimentary swim bladder - a highly unusual feature in sharks - which enables them to have exquisite control over their buoyancy compared with other sharks. Their needle-like teeth are highly adapted for impaling fish - their main prey.

Reproduction

Sand sharks only develop two embryos, one in each uterus. The strongest pups eat other embryos and any other unfertilized eggs in a process called "intrauterine cannibalism" before being born. They have a gestation period of about 9 to 12 months.

Species

* Genera Carcharias ** Sand tiger shark, Carcharias taurus Rafinesque, 1810 ** Indian sand tiger, Carcharias tricuspidatus Day, 1878 * Genera Odontaspis ** Smalltooth sand tiger or bumpytail raggedtooth, Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810) ** Bigeye sand tiger, Odontaspis noronhai (Maul, 1955)

See also

* List of sharks