Recognition: The sand tiger shark has the gill slits anterior to the origin of the pectoral fin, and a second dorsal fin almost as large as the first. The teeth have long, narrow, smooth-edged cusps with one (occasionally two) small lateral denticle on either side the teeth are similar in both jaws.

Color: Color is light greenish gray above and grayish white below. Juveniles have yellowish brown spots. Size. It reaches about 315cm (10.4 ft).

Similar species: The lemon shark has similar coloration and two equally large dorsal fins but its teeth lack the lateral denticles, and has overlapping skin denticles.

Biology: This is a common, bottom-dwelling shark usually found near shore, often in very shallow water. It can remain motionless on the bottom. It sometimes forms large aggregations over wrecks, probably for mating purposes. It ranges form the Gulf of Maine to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

Economic importance: Small numbers of sand tigers are found in both gillnet and coastal longline fisheries, but its numbers are too small to be of great economic importance.

Fishing: It is caught both in gillnets or on longlines set in very shallow waters. Occasionally large aggregations are caught over the mating areas.