Suspension of Ocean Park Hong Kong App (Effective 1 July 2026)Closure of "North Pole Encounter" for RenovationArrangements for unused admission ticket, car park reservation, and Ocean FasTrack dated 26 July 2026

Ocean Park Corporation

Ticket & Offer A Day at the Park Park Information Annual Membership Conservation & Education Plan Your Events

Secure your membership today and embark on an extraordinary journey like no other! Join now

Tickets and Offers

Admission Ticket & Special Offers Ocean FasTrack VIP Premium Tour Group Ticket

A Day at the Park

Latest Events Attractions Dining & Shopping Get Closer to the Animals Family Fun Activities Hotels Recommended Itineraries Panda Zone

Park Information

Park Calendar Getting Here Guest Services Park Notices

Annual Membership

Ocean Park Annual Membership Membership Tiers Member Privileges Current Members Ticket Conversion

Conservation & Education

Conservation Education

Plan Your Event

Corporate Events and Charters Personal Celebrations

Press Release Park Rules and Regulations Website Use & Access Agreement Personal Information Collection Statement Privacy Policy Statement Tender Notices

Copyright © 2026 Ocean Park Hong Kong. All rights reserved.

Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

Ocean Park Hong Kong, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong | Tel: (852) 3923 2323 | Fax: (852) 2873 5584

Ocean Park channel

Panda channel

Ragged Tooth Shark | Ocean Park Hong Kong

Homepage
Conservation & Education
Animals & Plants
Ragged Tooth Shark

Fish

Ragged Tooth Shark

Scientific Name

Carcharias taurus

Other Common Name(s)

Grey Nurse Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Dogfish Shark

Body Weight

95-110 kg

Body Length

Up to around 3.2 m

Shark and diver silhouettes

Shark swimming in deep blue ocean with mouth slightly open.

Habitat

Ocean

Diet

Fish, crustaceans and cephalopods such as squid

Fun Facts

The eggs of ragged tooth sharks hatch inside the mother’s uterus. To ensure the pups can live by and fend for themselves, only 2 pups are born each time. The most advanced embryos in the uterus will eat the other eggs. The other eggs give them ample energy to develop before birth.
Ragged tooth sharks have two ways to achieve buoyancy. In their big liver, they have a large amount of oil that is lighter than water and therefore provides lift. They also take a gulp of air and keep it in their stomach for extra buoyancy.

A shark swims underwater with its mouth slightly open, revealing teeth, above a sandy seabed.

A shark with visible teeth swims underwater, surrounded by smaller fish and rocky formations.

Distribution

Coastal waters of temperate and tropical regions in the western Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans, including the waters of China, Australia, South Africa and the United States

Threats & Conservation

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Urbanisation & Infrastructure
Overexploitation of Biological Resources
Climate Change

Ragged tooth sharks have been consumed for their meat, fins, liver oil and skin. They are not only caught in fishing nets, but also anti-shark nets at beaches. The population of ragged tooth sharks has declined by more than 80% since the 1950s. Due to their slow growth, late sexual maturity and low fecundity, population recovery is very slow. If the fishing pressure continues, the consequence could be irreversible.

Conservation

IUCN Red List graphic showing conservation statuses: Critically Endangered, with categories EW, CR, EN, VU, NT, LC, DD.

Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

Saving Species & Habitats

Panoramic view of a blue bay, green hills, and islands under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Eat Local

Person eating a salad with a fork and knife at a wooden table.

Come and see our animals and plants

A shark swims in deep blue water, mouth slightly open.

A shark swims in deep blue water, mouth slightly open.

Shark Mystique

Marine World | Summit

Explore more animals & plants

A giant panda walks on green grass surrounded by lush green plants.

Mammals

Giant Panda

Large tortoise with its mouth open on sandy ground.

Reptiles

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Wet otter with white whiskers standing on rocks, looking forward.

Mammals

Asian Small-clawed Otter