Name: Sandtiger, Ragged tooth, Grey nurse shark
Scientific Name: Carcharias taurus (Rafinesque, 1810)
Family: Odontaspididae
Group: Sharks, rays and chimaeras
Class: Fish
Size: 201-400 cm.
Even before they are born, these sharks are subject to natural selection in the form of inter-uterine cannibalism. As such, although almost 50 eggs are fertilised at the same time, only two will complete their development and end up being born. Until then, the fastest and strongest embryo of each of the two female uteri will feed on the other eggs and embryos. After 9 months, the females give birth to two young that are already one metre long! As the sand tiger shark is denser than water, it has to swallow air at the surface to avoid sinking. Despite its threatening appearance, it is usually harmless but should be treated with respect.
Photo by:
atouchoflisbon.blogspot.com
Global Ocean
