sand shark (redirected from Carcharias taurus)

sand shark

Sand shark (Odontaspis).

(credit: Grant Heilman—EB Inc.)

Any of about six species of shallow-water, bottom-dwelling sharks in the genus Odontaspis (family Odontaspididae), found along tropical and temperate coastlines of all oceans. They are 10–20 ft (3–6 m) long and are brown or gray above, paler below. Voracious but generally sluggish, they have long, slim, pointed teeth and prey on fishes and invertebrates. Two species, the sand tiger (O. taurus) of the Atlantic and the gray nurse (O. arenarius) of Australia, are potentially dangerous.