Sandbar Shark

Up to 8 ft, generally under 6 ft. Averages 50-100 pounds; can exceed 250 pounds. World record 260 pounds.

Family	Carcharhinidae
Description	Requiem sharks
Environment	Fresh, Brackish & Marine
Etymology	Greek, karcharos, -ou = cutting, sharp and also a kind of shark + Greek, rhinos = nose
Genus	12
No. of Species	59
Order	Carcharhiniformes
Class	Elasmobranchii
Reproductive Guild	Bearers
Distribution	Global. Gill openings 5, the fifth behind origin of pectoral fin. Small to large sharks with round eyes, internal nictitating eyelids, no nasoral grooves or barbels, usually no spiracles. Teeth usually bladelike with one cusp. Development usually viviparous with young born fully developed. Includes several dangerous species, but most prefer to avoid divers.

Sand Shark, Brown Shark

Mostly inshore and around beaches; also in channels and other deeper areas. Doesn't mind murky water. From about 30-900 ft; females cruise in shallower areas – average 223 ft. Found inshore and offshore, on continental and insular shelves and adjacent deep water. Common at bays, river mouths and in harbors; avoids sandy beaches and the surf zone, coral reefs and rough bottom, and surface waters. Coastal-pelagic, but usually bottom associated at 1-280 m. Sometimes in oceanic waters. Known to make extended seasonal migrations in some parts of its range. Feeds mainly on bony fishes, also small sharks, cephalopods, and shrimps, rays and gastropods. Youngs feed heavily on crustaceans such as blue crabd and mantis shrimp. Viviparous. Sexual dimorphism is evident in thickness of skin layer of maturing and adult females. Females live as long as 21 year; males 15 years. Populations are segregated by age. Young readily kept in aquaria. Utilized for human consumption, for leather and oil. Marketed fresh, smoked, dried-salted and frozen; fins are valued for soup. Used in Chinese medicine. Records to 300 cm TL uncertain. TL to 300 cm. Angling: an inshore fish and a good light-tackle fighter

Gray or light tan; high dorsal fin, strong interdorsal ridge; and no distinct marking. Eats small reef fishes, octopus and squid, crustaceans, mollusks. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A stout shark with a moderately long, rounded snout, high, triangular, saw-edged upper teeth, and an interdorsal ridge; 1st dorsal fin very large and erect. Grey-brown or bronzy with no prominent markings, white below. Fins plain or with slightly dusky tips

Viviparous, placental, 1-14 pups in a litter; 56-75 cm at birth; gestation period of 12 months. Distinct pairing with embrace. Sexual dimorphism is evident in the thicker skin layer of maturing and adult females. This thickened skin may serve as protection from the 'bites' the female species receive from the males during precopulation and in the rugged conditions of the rock and coral environment where they live. Pups are born from Feb. to April in Northeastern Taiwan

Summary of Distribution: Western Atlantic: southern Massachusetts, USA to Argentina; also Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba and south and west Caribbean. Eastern Atlantic: Portugal to Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the Mediterranean. Indo-Pacific: scattered records ranging from the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands. Eastern Pacific: Revillagigedo and Galapagos islands
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Heavy spinning and baitcasting; surf rods; light to medium ocean gear. Chunks of fresh-dead fish or Stingray wings make fine baits.