Depth
Odontaspis · Sharks & Rays

Smalltooth Sand Tiger

Odontaspis ferox

13 - 880 m
Depth Range
450 cm
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
13 - 880 m
Depth Range
450 cm
Max Size
Deep Water
Habitat
Predator
Diet
Solitary
Social
VU
IUCN Status
Very Rare
Sighting Likelihood
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassElasmobranchii
GenusOdontaspis
Speciesferox

Elasmobranch

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationA large, heavy shark with a conical snout, small eyes, and a bulky, stout body. The teeth are long, narrow, and protrude from the mouth even when closed. Grey-brown on top with two dorsal fins of roughly equal size. Can be confused with the common sand tiger shark.
  • SizeUp to 4.5 m total length. Most adults are between 2.5 and 3.5 m. Weight up to 290 kg.
  • Social HabitSolitary. A deep-water species that is very rarely encountered. Thought to be a slow, powerful cruiser of continental slopes and seamounts.
  • HabitatDeep continental and insular shelves, slopes, and seamounts. Can approach shallower water near steep drop-offs.
  • Depth13 to 880 m. Most records come from between 60 and 500 m.
  • Feeds OnBony fish, squid, and small sharks. Diet details are poorly known due to the species' rarity.
  • DistributionWorldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas, but everywhere rare. Recorded in the Mediterranean from multiple locations including around Sicily.
  • DescriptionOdontaspis ferox is one of the rarer large sharks in the world's oceans. Its deep-water habits and low population density mean that almost every encounter contributes new information about the species. Despite its intimidating appearance, it is not considered dangerous to humans. Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to its slow reproductive rate and susceptibility to deep-water fishing gear.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Primarily a deep-water species found from 13 to 880 m depth, though most commonly encountered below 200 m. Found in the Mediterranean basin and worldwide in tropical and temperate seas. Occasionally approaches shallow submarine cliffs and seamounts.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Deep continental shelves, slopes, and seamounts. Primarily found near the seabed over rocky and sandy substrates at depth. Occasionally visits shallow underwater pinnacles and island drop-offs. Prefers water temperatures between 6 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Encounter Tips

Extremely rare in diver-accessible depths. Occasional sightings reported at seamounts and deep underwater pinnacles. Any encounter would be exceptional and noteworthy.

Smalltooth Sand Tiger species card

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Odontaspis ferox may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red ListVulnerable

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
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