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Family: Odontaspididae (sand tiger sharks,
raggedtooths)
Life
> Eukaryotes >
Opisthokonta
> Metazoa (animals) >
Bilateria >
Deuterostomia > Chordata >
Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates) > Gnathostomata (jawed
vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes >
Elasmobranchii >
Galeomorphii > Lamniformes
Large bulky sharks with pointed snouts, upper
precaudal pits only, and asymmetrical caudal fins without keels. 3
or 4 species, 2 in the area.
Species in seas off southern Africa
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Carcharias taurus (Spotted raggedtooth) A large, brownish, heavy-bodied shark with a
short pointed snout, small eyes, protruding spikelike teeth, and
small equal-sized dorsal and anal fins. 1st dorsal closer to pelvic
fins than pectorals. Lighter below, often with reddish spots on
sides. |
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Odontaspis ferox (Bumpytail raggedtooth) A large, bulky grey shark with a long, bulbous,
conical snout, moderately large eyes, protruding teeth, and 2nd
dorsal and anal fins smaller than 1st dorsal. 1st dorsal fin closer
to pectoral fins than pelvic fins. Grey below, sometimes with red
spots on sides. |
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Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert
and Malcolm J. Smale
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