Fauna
Fish · GBIF taxon 2420764

Smalltooth Sand Tiger

Odontaspis ferox

Also known as Bumpytail Ragged-Tooth, Smalltooth Ragged-Tooth Shark, Herbst's Nurse Shark

Smalltooth sand tigers roam deep rocky reefs and continental drop-offs across tropical and warm temperate oceans worldwide. Despite their formidable rows of protruding, needle-like teeth, these slow-swimming giants are passive toward humans and feed primarily on bottom-dwelling fish, squid, and crustaceans. Females give birth to live young through a strategy where embryos feed on unfertilized eggs within the uterus.

DeepwaterPredatorRare
Smalltooth Sand Tiger reference
Licensed reference(c) NOAA Photo Library, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Benthic Bony Fish
  • Squid
  • Crustaceans
Predators
  • Orca
  • Great White Shark
ThreatsBycatch in deep-sea fisheries, low reproductive rate, and habitat degradation
HabitatsDeep rocky reefs, continental slopes, and submarine canyons
Life span20–40 years
Classification
  1. FamilyOdontaspididae
  2. SpeciesOdontaspis ferox
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Capable of a powerful bite if provoked or entangled; observe from a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Possesses massive jaws lined with multiple rows of sharp, slender teeth capable of inflicting severe tissue damage if cornered or harassed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a heavy body, a first dorsal fin distinctly larger than the second, and protruding needle-like teeth visible when the mouth is closed.
What to do
Never approach, corner, or attempt to touch this large shark; give it plenty of space to navigate along reef walls.
What to notice
Recognizable by its pale grey coloration, slender protruding teeth, and large primary dorsal fin relative to its small secondary dorsal fin.
Support conservation
Avoid using intense dive lights inside deep caves and report any accidental fishing catches to local marine research authorities.
Responsible observation
  • Submersible Observation: Maintain a non-intrusive distance when encountering these deepwater sharks along drop-offs.
  • Diver Etiquette: Avoid blocking their swim path or cornering them inside underwater caves and arches.
  • Reporting Sightings: Document encounters with clear photos of the dorsal fins to aid ongoing conservation monitoring.
Related species
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