Sandbar Sharks

Sandbar Sharks

Sandbar Shark, Sand Shark its

Scientific name is Carcharhinus plumbeus  

Class: Carcharhinidae  

How would you know if it is a Sandbar Shark? 

First dorsal fin distinctively large and high. Pectoral fins long and broad. Low interdorsal ridge. First dorsal originates over pectoral fins. Dorsum uniform grey with pale ventrum. Caudal fin sometimes dusky. Snout vertically compressed (thin and pointed). 

 

It has a Maximum length 240cm. Size at birth 56-75cm.    

It lives in Intertidal to 280m. Most commonly encountered around sand flats close to shore. Also inhabits reefs and seen in surface layer over deep water. In Hawaii attends shark feeds in the presence of Galapagos Sharks. 

A Sandbar Shark Feeds in early morning hours on benthic bony fishes, sharks (sharpnose, spiny dogfish, bonnethead), rays (cownose, guitarfish, skates and skate egg cases, and stingrays), and crustaceans.

Sandbar Sharks are Viviparous. Recorded litter size 1 - 14. Gestation period 8 - 12 months. During copulation the male Sandbar Shark repeatedly bites female until she turns on her back at which point he inserts both claspers into her cloaca.

Sandbar Sharks are sometimes seen swimming with dorsal fin above water.