sand tiger

American  

noun

1. any of several sharks of the family Odontaspididae, especially Odontaspis taurus, inhabiting shallow waters on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, having sharp, jagged teeth and sometimes dangerous to humans.

---

Etymology

Origin of sand tiger

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Previous studies have shown that animals including ladybird beetles and sand tiger sharks practice such lardering behavior.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 15, 2024

Scientists have also observed sand tiger sharks traveling from one wreck to another, possibly using the shipwrecks like rest stops during migration.

From Salon • Dec. 30, 2023

Roughly a dozen species of sharks swim off the coast of New York's Long Island, including sand tiger sharks, dusky sharks, sandbar sharks, while juvenile great white sharks have also been spotted in these waters.

From BBC • Jul. 20, 2023

Several of them, like the sand tiger shark and the dusky shark, are endangered species, off limits even for catch and release fishing.

From Slate • Sep. 1, 2022

Over the course of four years, Chapman and his six colleagues collected 15 pregnant sand tiger sharks that had died after being caught in nets set off Richards Bay, South Africa.

From Washington Post • May 1, 2013