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Unlocked at Accreditation Tier 4
Statistics
The sand tiger shark (or Carcharias taurus), also known as the spotted ragged-tooth shark or blue-nurse sand tiger shark, is a large species of shark that lives in the shallow coastal waters of temperate and sub-tropical oceans across the world.
They have a classic selachian (‘shark-like’) body form, but are bulky in comparison to some shark species. They are pale grey-brown with brown spots and a white underside. Their snout is pointed and their mouth is generally kept open, exposing 3 rows of teeth.
Like many other sharks, female sand tiger sharks are larger than males. Males measure 2m to 2.5m in length and weigh 90kg to 120kg, while females grow from 2.2m to up to 3.2m in length and weigh between 110kg to 159kg.
- Sand tiger sharks have complex social behaviours and are often seen in large groups.
- Sand tiger shark embryos go through a process called ‘adelphophagy’, meaning embryos are cannibalistic and the largest embryo will consume the others in utero.
- The sand tiger shark is the only shark species that is known to swallow air from the surface to contribute to buoyancy, they sometimes release this air with a ‘burp’.
- Sand tiger sharks are large and look intimidating, but they are docile, slow-moving, and have very rarely been associated with attacking humans.
- Sand tiger shark juveniles have been known to form ‘nurseries’ where many young sharks will gather in safe, secluded areas to avoid predation.
Habitat
Minimum habitat requirements
Planned population
Space
Barrier
Terrain
Environment
Preferred group ranges
Social
Sand tiger sharks are social and live in fission-fusion groups that may contain up to 200 individuals.
Food-based enrichment
Suspended BaitToy enrichment
Blood Scent Marker
Bubble Blower - Airstone
Lattice Ball
Submarine Buoy
Water Hoop
Release
Release requirements
Solitary Male
Release Groups can only be released via Conservation Projects or Quick Release.
Solitary Female
Breeding Partners
Conservation
Sand tiger sharks are Critically Endangered, having declined by 80 to 90% over the last few decades, mostly due to human action. They are heavily overfished for their fins, considered a delicacy in China and Southeast Asia, but are also often bycatch of fisheries. As their preferred habitat is shallow coastal waters, they are often exposed to pollutants, destructive fishing techniques and habitat loss through coastal development. Additionally, their slow reproductive rate (1 to 2 pups every 2 to 3 years) makes them more vulnerable to unsustainable population losses.
To mitigate these problems, many countries have introduced fishing restrictions, while some have banned catching sand tiger sharks entirely. There are ongoing discussions about putting the sand tiger shark on the ‘Convention for Migratory Species’, so that there is more international cooperation regarding its protection and its enforcement. Conservation organisations are attempting to protect important habitats, and research into their behaviour, reproduction and migration is improving targeted conservation mechanisms.
Research
| Level | Unlocks | Bonus | Research gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: Blood Scent Marker, at least 2; Sand Tiger Shark Fact Sheet | ||
| 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 5 objects or plants with the Rocks tag; Fertility Level 1 | Fertility (+15%) | |
| 3 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Release groups and release to the wild | ||
| 4 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 5 objects or plants with the Coral tag | ||
| 5 | Thriving Requirement 5: Suspended Bait, at least 2; Fertility Level 2 | Fertility (+30%) |
Conservation topics
Life
Reproduction
Lifecycle
Breeding
During the breeding season in Autumn and Winter, female sand tiger sharks hover on the seabed while multiple males will gather round her and aggressively compete for the right to mate, with ‘intimidation displays’ including posturing and chasing away rivals. The dominant male initiates mating by circling the female and biting her pelvic fins to get her into the right position. Females may mate with more than one male.
Sand tiger sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. Females have two uterine horns, and each one may contain several embryos. However, as the embryos develop, the largest one will consume the others by the end of gestation, so there is only one pup in each uterus. After 8 to 9 months, the female will give birth to 1 to 2 pups that are independent immediately and there is no further parental care.
Sand tiger shark males reach sexual maturity at 4 to 7 years old and females at 6 to 10 years old.