Smalltooth sand tiger shark

How it lives

It lives on or near the bottom of the shelf and upper slope, usually at 13 to 880 m, and occasionally in shallow water. Mediterranean fish are recorded shallower than 250 m. Young develop inside the mother and feed on other eggs. Males mature at about 2.0 to 2.5 m and females at about 3.0 to 3.5 m. Pups are about 1.0 to 1.1 m at birth. The species is poorly known because it is rare.

Where it goes

Near Beirut, Lebanon, small groups gather on rocky reefs at 30 to 45 m at certain times of year, and the same individuals have been recorded returning to the same site year after year. Why they gather is unclear. I did not find tracking data for long-distance movements.

We only draw a journey on the map when scientists have tracked it or clearly documented it. For this animal we have not found one yet.

Populations

Found in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide, including the Mediterranean, but rarely seen. The IUCN lists it as Endangered (assessed 2023), with fishing pressure the main concern. It is taken in some fisheries for meat, liver oil and fins. In 2023 there were new records from Irish and English waters. No global population count is available.