Latin name

Odontaspis ferox

Other name

Bumpytail ragged-tooth

Identification

The Smalltooth Sand Tiger has a stocky body with a long head and slightly flattened snout. The eyes are medium-sized with a large round pupil, unlike the slit pupils of the sand tiger shark. The third eyelid is absent. Each tooth has a long central tip and 2-3 lateral teeth. There are 46-48 teeth on the upper jaw and 36-46 teeth on the lower jaw.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0.

The bases of the dorsal fins are broad and the fins themselves are rounded. The first dorsal fin is larger than the second, set back, and its base is closer to the base of the pectoral fins than to the pelvic fins. The anal fin is equal to or larger than the dorsal fins. The caudal fin is asymmetrical, with the upper lobe much longer than the lower. Lateral keels on the caudal peduncle are absent. There is a precaudal notch on the caudal peduncle. The height of the anal fin is 4.6 to 6% of the total body length. The posterior margin is curved.

Fish colouring

The colouration of this shark is grey or grey-brown, with a pale belly. Some individuals have dull patches on the flanks. In juveniles, the edges of the fins are slightly darker than the main colour.

Distribution

Smalltooth sand tigers are found in almost all tropical and warm temperate seas. In the western Atlantic they are found off Mexico, the USA (North Carolina) and Brazil. In the eastern Atlantic they are found in the Bay of Biscay, off the coasts of Madeira, Morocco, Western Sahara and the Mediterranean. In the Indian Ocean, they are found from South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal) to Madagascar, as well as off the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and the northern coast of Australia. In the eastern Pacific, these sharks have been recorded off Japan, Australia (New South Wales), New Zealand and the Kermadec archipelago. In the central Pacific they are found off the coast of Hawaii and in the western Pacific in the United States (Southern California), Mexico (Gulf of Mexico and Baja California) and Colombia (Malpelo Island).

Habitat

A marine benthopelagic species. These sharks are usually found at depths of up to 880 metres. They are usually found near the bottom where rocks are scattered, on the continental shelf or at the top of the continental slope. Sometimes they are found close to cliffs on rocky or coral reefs and around seamounts and ridges. In the Mediterranean they have been observed at depths of up to 250m, including depths accessible to divers. Their preferred temperature range is between 6 and 20°C. In hot climates they stay below the thermocline where the water is cooler.

Size

The maximum recorded length of this species is 450 cm and the maximum weight is 289 kg.

Behavior

Smalltoothed Sand Tigers can be found in small groups as well as individually. They are thought to be able to swim long distances along underwater ridges. They have very large livers with a high fat content, allowing them to maintain neutral buoyancy in the water column with minimal effort. Some individuals return to the same site year after year. The purpose of these migrations is unknown, probably mating.

Food and feeding habits

These are active predators. Compared to the Sand Tiger sharks, these Smalltooth sand tiger sharks have a less impressive set of teeth adapted for tearing and crushing, suggesting that they prey on relatively small prey. They feed on bony fish such as sea bass, invertebrates including squid, isopods and cartilaginous fish (rays and chimaeras).

Reproduction

Little is known about the reproduction of the smalltoothed sand tiger. No pregnant females have been captured. A female from the Gulf of California has been described with a right ovary full of small eggs. These sharks probably reproduce by oviparity with oophagy. Pups range in size from 1 to 1.1 metres. Juvenile sharks stay at greater depths than adults. This is probably to avoid encounters with large shallow water predators such as the great white shark. Males reach sexual maturity at a length of 2-2.5 metres, while females reach 3-3.5 metres. Scars on the body of some individuals may be produced during courtship.

Fishing

This species is caught as by-catch in gillnets, bottom trawls and longlines, particularly in the Mediterranean and off Japan. They are usually discarded, except in Japan where the meat is consumed, although it is considered inferior to that of the sand tiger shark. The fins, jaws and cartilage are also prized.

Relationship with a person

This shark is generally considered to be non-aggressive, with many divers who have seen them underwater testifying that they are shy and show no aggression even when approached at close range.