Their teeth are long, narrow, and very sharp with smooth edges, with one and on occasion two smaller cusplets on either side.

The name sand shark comes from their tendency to migrate toward shoreline habitats, and they are often seen swimming around the ocean floor in the surf zone; at times, they come very close to shore.

The largest and strongest embryos consume their siblings in the womb (intrauterine cannibalism) before each surviving pup is born.

[6] It has one of the lowest reproduction rates of all sharks and is susceptible to even minimal population pressure, so it is listed as vulnerable and is protected in much of its range.

[8] A recent report from the PEW Charitable Trusts suggests a new management approach used for large mammals that have suffered population declines could hold promise for sharks.

Some of the more stringent approaches used to reverse declines in large mammals may be appropriate for sharks, including prohibitions on the retention of the most vulnerable species and regulation of international trade.