The Sand Tiger Shark: Gentle and Misunderstood

With its sharp teeth and two large dorsal fins, the sand tiger shark has managed to invoke fear in many a swimmer. One can almost hear the music from Jaws as the sand tiger shark approaches. It looks like the mightiest of predators, and lives have flashed before the eyes of beach goers at the sight of the sand tiger shark. It appears to be a menacing animal that could kill at will.

Looks can be deceiving, and that is definitely the case with the sand tiger shark. Humans are not commonly preyed upon by the sand tiger shark. While human beings are not the natural prey for any shark, this is especially the case for the sand tiger shark. The sand tiger shark is known for being a docile shark that will only attack humans if provoked. Therefore, it would be highly out of character for a sand tiger shark to prey upon a human being without the human having initiated it. It is for that reason that many people do not view the sand tiger shark as a threat.

The only other time the sand tiger shark is known to be a threat is when both shark and swimmer are in water with low visibility. There have been occurrences where a sand tiger shark has bitten a surfer or swimmer. However, it has been found that these occurrences were mistakes on the part of the sand tiger shark. In waters with low visibility, the sand tiger shark has put its teeth on people, only to let go when it realizes that the prey is far bigger than what it was looking for. In those instances, the victim is quickly released and the life is spared.

Sand tiger sharks are known to thrive in both the wild and in captivity. While it is rare for a shark to do well in captivity, sand tiger sharks have been known to live for as long as ten years while under the care of humans. That is not the only thing that makes the sand tiger shark unique. The sand tiger shark has many characteristics that set it apart from other species of sharks.

Sand tiger sharks are the only species of shark that come to the surface for air. If you are in the ocean and see a shark come up for air, rest assured that it is a sand tiger shark, and chances are, you are safe. The sand tiger shark comes up for air and stores that air in its stomach. It is both unique and fascinating.

Sand tiger sharks can also be identified by their teeth. While the teeth cause the sand tiger shark to look like a state of the art predator, the three pronged teeth actually serve an entirely different purpose. The sand tiger sharks' biology makes them a scavenger of small prey, such as small fish. They are not meant to attack something as large as a human being.

Sand tiger sharks are the most adaptable of shark species. While most sharks die quickly when in captivity, the sand tiger shark has been known to live for as much as ten years while under the care of humans. Aquariums all over the world house sand tiger sharks.

While swimmers, surfers, and scuba divers should always be mindful of sharks, sand tiger sharks is one of the gentlest species of the shark family. It would be a highly unique situation for a sand tiger shark to attack. Always be aware of your surroundings, do not provoke sand tiger sharks, and stay in clear waters. If you follow those procedures, you should be safe.

"Sand Tiger Sharks," divingwiththesharks.com

"Sand Tiger Sharks," Marine Studies