Photo Credit: G.P. Schmahl/NOAA
A Shark Species that Lives Closer than You Think!
You can find sandbar sharks in tropical waters in many places around the world including the islands of Hawaii! They live at the bottom of the ocean typically in shallow water. Common places you can find them are in sandy and muddy bays or harbors. It is especially common for pregnant sharks or their young babies to be found in bays. Sandbar, along with Galapagos and Tiger sharks, are some of the most frequent sharks we see on tours.
How to Identify a Sandbar Shark
How can you spot a sandbar shark in the ocean? Sandbar sharks are known to have a large dorsal fin on their back and large pectoral fins on either side of their body. Sandbar sharks are often referred to as brown sharks. That is for a reason! These sharks have grayish-brown bodies with white stomachs. One cool trait of the sandbar shark is they have round and short snouts. Unlike other sharks, their snouts are much smaller than their mouths. When they are born, they are only about 20 to 24 inches. As they get older, sandbar sharks can grow up to 8 feet long and 200 pounds with a lifespan of over 20 years.
The Diet
Sandbar sharks have a wide diet. They love to eat small bony fish. Some specific types of fish they eat are menhaden, croaker, and snapper. Watch out because they might steal your food! They also eat crab, squid, and shrimp. Sometimes you can find sandbar sharks eating smaller sharks, rays, and octopuses. Young sandbar sharks often love to eat blue crab.
Population Status
In the 1980s there was an abundance of sandbar sharks, but unfortunately their population has dwindled, and they are now endangered. However, there are plans set to keep them alive! Fishing is being limited so the sharks can reproduce and continue to populate. One of the best things you can do to help sharks is learn as much as you can about them. Our crew members are ready to educate you about shark biology and behavior. Thinking about seeing a sandbar shark for yourself? Book your charter here today!
