Odontaspis (from 'tooth') and 'shield') is a genus of sand shark with two extant species.

Description

Bigeye sand tigers can reach a length of about 3.6 m and smalltooth sand tigers of about 4.1 m. They are large-bodied sharks with long, conical snouts, broad-based dorsal and anal fins, and an asymmetrical caudal fin with a strong lower lobe. Their teeth are large, with prominent narrow cusps. They are distinguished from the similar genus Carcharias by the absence of crushing posterior teeth. These bottom dwelling, deepwater sharks can be found in temperate and tropical waters of all the oceans.

Extant species

Extinct species

Extinct species within this genus include: Fossils of Odontaspis have been found all over the world. These extinct sand sharks lived from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary periods (from 136.4 to 0.012 Ma). Fossils of these fishes have been found worldwide.