Help with Florida shark ID?

[Hetland]

Help with shark ID?

Tail fin was long and curved similar to that of a nurse shark. Skin was pale grey, shape resembled a nurse, but with a longer, pointer nose. About 7' long. Found resting in a wreck at night. Would disappear once we got within sight, and reappear a few minutes later in the same spot, was not hunting, or otherwise concerned with what was going on near the wreck.

I honestly believed this to be a nurse, but once the excitement wore off, I realized the nose shape and color was not right. My buddy also commented that the head was not correct for a nursie.

Any thoughts???

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Possibly a SANDBAR Shark?
Sandbar Shark

Sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), also called the brown shark, is found nearshore typically at depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet. It is both a predator and scavenger, feeding chiefly near the bottom on fish and shellfish. It migrates long distances and matures at about 6 feet in length but can reach a maximum length of nearly 8 feet. It is brown or gray in color with a white underside. It migrates south in schools to Florida waters during the winter. Some remain throughout the year. This shark accounts for about 60 percent of the state's commercial landings.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/images/1775863300 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EDISImagePage?imageID=720634228&dlNumber=SG062&tag=FIGURE 1&credits=Diane Peebles)
The following link will give you more pics to survey to find your shark.

http://elasmodiver.com/sharkive%20index.htm#Shark%20Families
Carolyn:sharks:

[Hetland]

Very Close. I think I've narrowed it down to a sand shark aka sand tiger aka grey nurse. The shape was almost exactly like these:

http://www.underwater.com.au/content/7136/grey_nurse_shark.jpg

http://home.att.net/~PaulGacek/nc2006files/papoosesharkb.jpg

Thanks for the help in pointing me in the right direction!

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Definitely a Sandtiger. I had the pleasure of diving with a large female in April on the Akokeek in PC. What a treat to have seen one!

Carolyn:sharks:

[Hetland]

It was my first shark, and I'm still pretty stoked over seeing it. Truly amazing creatures.

[trogloxene]

A favorite of the aquarium.

I watched a special recently on either History/Discovery/NGC about the WWII wrecks off the coast of North Carolina. Each of these wreck had hundreds of Sand Tigers on them. It was amazing

Sean

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Moorehead City N. Carolina is THE PLACE for SANDTIGERS! You will definitely enjoy that dive if you are a shark junkie! The dive is Advanced though due to currents and depths. But definitely a blast!

Carolyn:sharks:

[tfsails]

Every time I see a Sand Tiger, I wish I were an otrhodontist...