Species: Odontaspis noronhai, Bigeye Sand Tiger, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark

Odontaspis noronhai (Maul, 1955)

Bigeye Sand Tiger, Bigeye Sand Tiger Shark

Bulky body; a long bulbous and conical snout; eyes very large without nictitating eyelids; mouth long, extending behind eye; teeth with long, dagger-like central point and a single small point on each side, large central teeth in 2 rows; first dorsal fin larger than second dorsal or anal fin, located closer to pectoral than pelvic fins; 2nd dorsal fin origin over middle of pelvic fin base; anal fin > second dorsal; lateral keel absent from tail base, upper pit present; tail fin asymmetrical, lower lobe hardly developed, dorsal notch present.

Blackish to dark brown or reddish brown above and below, without spots, first dorsal fin often with white tip.

Reaches 427 cm.

Pelagic, midwater in the open ocean, may migrate vertically during the day/night cycle.

Depth range: 35-1000 m.

Possibly circumglobal in warm seas; the Gulf of Mexico and SE Florida.