ANIMAL SPECIES:Sandtiger Shark, Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810)
The Sandtiger Shark has an asymmetrical caudal fin and a first dorsal fin that is larger than both the second dorsal and anal fins. It has long awl-like teeth with two to three pairs of lateral cusplets. It is grey-brown above shading to paler below.
Alternative Name/s
Herbsts Nurse Shark, Smalltoothed Sandtiger SharkIdentification
The Sandtiger Shark has an asymmetrical caudal fin and a first dorsal fin that is larger than both the second dorsal and anal fins. It has long awl-like teeth with two to three pairs of lateral cusplets. It is grey-brown above shading to paler below.
The species looks similar to the endangered Greynurse Shark. The latter species has similar sized dorsal fins and a single pair of lateral cusplets on each tooth.
The common name 'Herbst's Shark' was coined by G.P. Whitley in his 1950 description of the species Odontaspis herbsti (a junior synonym of O. ferox). The common name reflects the contribution of Mr. W.A. Herbst who donated the holotype (AMS IB.2136) and paratype (AMS IB.1959) of this species to the Australian Museum.
Size range
The species grows to 3.8 m in length.Similar Species
It looks similar to the Greynurse Shark.Distribution
The Sandtiger Shark has been recorded from scattered localities in most seas and oceans. In Australia it is known from off New South Wales (to a depth of 850 m) and north-western Australia (to 420 m).
Habitat
The species occurs in continental shelf and slope waters to a depths of around 850 m.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
It eats bony fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.
Living with us
Economic/social impacts
In New South Wales it is listed as a protected species under the common name Herbsts Nurse Shark.
Classification
- Species:
- ferox
- Genus:
- Odontaspis
- Family:
- Odontaspididae
- Class:
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4, Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes: viii, 1-250. (as Smalltooth Sand Tiger Shark).
- Compagno, L.J.V. & Niem, V.H. 1998. Odontaspididae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 2. Cephalopods, crustaceans, holothurians and sharks. FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-vi, 688-1396.
- Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
- Whitley, G. P. 1950. Studies in ichthyology. No. 14. Records of the Australian Museum. 22:3: 234-245.
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Tooth from a Sandtiger Shark View full size
Mark McGrouther
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