Species FishSand Tiger Shark

Sand Tiger Shark

Carcharias taurus

UncommonFish
Illustration of Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus)
Safety note: Looks menacing but is generally placid. Still a large wild shark, so give it space.

A fearsome-looking shark with a mouthful of ragged, protruding teeth, yet slow-moving and not aggressive toward people. It is the only shark known to gulp air at the surface to hover motionless in the water.

Habitat
Sandy coastal waters, reefs, and shipwrecks along the Atlantic coast.
Diet
Fish, rays, small sharks, and squid.
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Sand Tiger Shark

The best time to see a Sand Tiger Shark is May–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 169 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Recent Sand Tiger Shark sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Sand Tiger Shark?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More fish

Sand Whiting
Sand Whiting
Sillago ciliata
Sandbar Shark
Sandbar Shark
Carcharhinus plumbeus
Sauger
Sauger
Sander canadensis
Scalloped Hammerhead
Scalloped Hammerhead
Sphyrna lewini
Scalyfin
Scalyfin
Parma victoriae
Scalyhead Sculpin
Scalyhead Sculpin
Artedius harringtoni
Schooling Bannerfish
Schooling Bannerfish
Heniochus diphreutes
Schoolmaster Snapper
Schoolmaster Snapper
Lutjanus apodus