Yes, that is the first thing we told you, but let’s get the facts straight. Both species are neither related nor do they look alike. On top of that, they belong to two different orders. However, the sand tiger sharks do come from the same order as the great white shark. A tiger shark has a pattern of spots and stripes all over its body, which resemble the body of a tiger. Hence, the name, tiger shark. In contrast, sand tiger sharks have reddish spots on their backs and are found in sandy areas. Combining both these features, their name becomes clearer in reasoning. 

#2. They are the most common sharks found in an aquarium.

If you have ever been to a public aquarium, there are high chances that it contained one of these ferocious beasts. The reason for their popularity in aquariums is that they are better grown than other sharks in captivity.  They are known to live over 16 years in an aquarium, making them a popular hit in various marine parks. The ten feet tall shark has been seen gobbling its tank mates. On top of that, they form hunched backs due to the captive environment.

#3. They have a very small litter size.

Unlike many sharks, they produce only 2 to 3 pups in one reproduction cycle. They have several eggs inside them, but only 2-3 actual eggs hatch. Moreover, their females breed after a couple of years, causing further distress in their population size. Statistics show that only 400 sharks are currently breeding near the coasts.  Their mating behavior is similar to other sharks, involving a ritual of biting each other. But the one dominating characteristic about their babies is that they are capable of hunting and fighting off any would-be predators immediately after birth. 

#4. They store air above water.

An interesting thing you will find about these sharks is that they come out of the ocean to store air.  This air goes into their stomachs and as a result, they float along motionlessly into the depths of the ocean. This characteristic is not for breathing but mainly because it helps them maintain buoyancy in the water. It also helps them in silently stalking and hunting down their prey. It is quite creepy if you think about it.  They can easily let out this stored air to return to a normal state. Usually, a stream of air bubbles is released, indicating that they are ready to make the dive. This gulping and burping mechanism is only found in this type of shark.  

#5. Embryos fight for survival.

As you already know now that the shark babies of the Sand Tiger Shark become independent immediately after birth. This has an interesting backstory. Through biting and circling, the male Sand Tiger Sharks dispose of sperms from their fins into the female’s body. They have a pair of uteri that holds 5 to 50 eggs but all of them do not survive the battle within. The gestation period of the Sand Tiger Shark is usually around 5 months. During this time, the eggs turn into embryos and then hatch into babies. But what happens is that the largest and the fiercest of the bunch eats up the unhatched eggs, the smaller babies, and the weakest embryos.  All in all, it remains the only one surviving and comes out as an independent predator. That is why only two to three babies are born, one or rarely two from each uterus.

#6. They look quite dangerous.

One common thought about sharks is that they are dangerous but the Sand Tiger Shark looks dangerous as well. As we have established, they stalk their prey silently. But when you look at them closely, it makes their hunting behavior much more fierce. They have three sets of pointed, small teeth that are visible most times even when their mouths are closed. Moreover, they do not blink because they do not have any eyelids. Yes, you can spot them rolling their eyes a lot. And not on a snide or sarcastic note but for protecting their eyes against dust. Plus, they are huge, around 10 feet in length.

#7. They hunt in groups.

Like most sharks, the Sand Tiger Sharks hunt together in groups. Often, they are found in clusters launching themselves after prey to gobble them up whole. Imagine the fiercest-looking sharks after you. And not just one, but a whole group of them creeping up motionlessly. Yes, it is a scary sight for sure. 

#8. … But they do not harm humans.

They are not known to hurt humans unless provoked. The only attacks that have been reported by a Sand Tiger Shark are around 50, none of which were fatal. This number has remained the same for a number for centuries now.  Although they like to keep their distance from humans, they are known to steal away fish from spear and net fishers.

#9. They prefer to travel long distances.

The Sand Tiger Shark is found almost all over the world. This is because they like to travel around in search of warm waters. They can be found in all the major oceans of the world, from America to Japan and even Australia. But they can be seen exploring shallow bays, reefs, and sandy coastal areas giving it the name of the Sand Tiger Shark.   The mating and the gestation period are done in the warmer waters but the birth is given in the colder parts of the ocean. 

#10. Lampreys can kill them.

Sand Tiger Sharks are quite dangerous when they are hungry. Some of their prey include lobsters, squid, some small fishes, and even certain sharks. But even with its ferocious way of life, it does have a few predators of its own like the Bull Shark, the Great White Shark, and the Tiger Shark to name a few. But one predator that may shock you is a lamprey. It sucks out the blood of the Sand Tiger Shark and kills it slowly. 

Up Next…

Take a look at a few of our other articles to learn more about these incredible creatures.

How Do Sharks Mate – A full guide on how these monsters reproduce!Sharks In Lakes – Read this before you go swimming in any of these shark-infested lakes.How Long Do Sharks Live – Learn how long these guys really live for.

Sand tiger sharks, also known as gray nurse sharks, have a deceivingly ferocious look. They are large-bodied and display a mouthful of sharp teeth that protrude in all directions, even when the mouth is shut. Despite this, they are a docile, non-aggressive species, known to attack humans only when bothered first. What is the difference between a tiger shark and a sand tiger shark? The blue-nurse sand tiger shark is unusual in that its dorsal and anal fins are the same size. The tiger shark has one large and one small dorsal fin. The sand tiger is brownish grey on top while the tiger shark is blue or even pale green with tiger stripes that fade as the animal gets older. Is the sand tiger shark going extinct? Conservation status of the sand tiger shark varies based on the geographic region. Globally they are listed as vulnerable, while in the areas of the western Mediterranean, Europe, and eastern Australian coast they are rated as critically endangered due to commercial fishing.