Spotted Ragged-tooth Shark - Carcharias Taurus
Common Names: • Grey Nurse Shark (Australia), • Sand Tiger Shark (USA) • Ragged Tooth Shark (South Africa) |
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Overview:
These lovely sharks can be identified by their plump bodies which are a grayish brown colour, lighter underneath with darker spots on the flanks. They have numerous rows of fang-like teeth which are continuously exposed. An average mature male can measure around 220 cm whilst the female is a little bigger at 240cm. Their diet consist mainly of fish, small sharks, skates and rays, cephalopods and occasionally crustaceans.
The International Union for Conservation of Natural Resources lists them as "Vulnerable" which means they are at high risk of extinction in the wild.
The "Raggie" get its name from it teeth of course! Teeth which are designed for gripping prey which is usually swallowed whole. Thankfully this removes Humans from the menu! Behind the front row of teeth lie another 3 rows which continuously move forward to replace any tooth which is damaged or lost. Some of them are lost during mating rituals. A Raggie can produce over a thousand teeth during its life. Raggie Teeth are the only items that divers are permitted to bring back from a visit to the depths on Aliwal Shoal. If you find one – treasure it.
It is normally early winter, during June, that the first Raggies arrive here on Aliwal Shoal from the cooler Cape waters. The females usually arrive first and are followed a little later by the males (strangely, no one seems to know where the males come from or go to!). They stay around the area for mating and can still be seen in early December.
Diving with Raggies is such a thrill. The best plan for a close encounter is to be patient and controlled. Do not chase the sharks; give them time to check you out. If you appear to pose little or no threat they often become quite curious and may approach you for a closer inspection. They are readily spooked by bubbles so keep your breathing slow and steady. You should consider your self privileged to have dived with a Ragged Tooth shark.
Raggie Respect: 10 Points for a great Shark Dive
| 1. | Insist that shark diving is included in the dive briefing |
| 2. | Don’t approach nearer than 3 metres to a shark. Relax, maintain buoyancy, breathe evenly, and it may approach YOU |
| 3. | Don’t touch, chase or ride the sharks and NEVER feed or chum to attract Raggies |
| 4. | Be aware of your surroundings and give the shark room to move away. When descending, check no sharks are below you |
| 5. | SHARKS HAVE RIGHT OF WAY. Avoid a head-on approach – rather move aside. In a strong current, pass over or around a group of sharks – not through them |
| 6. | Stay out of all caves and overhangs if you don't know the dive sites or if visibility is poor. Raggies are difficult to see in the shadows |
| 7. | NO ENTRY to the core areas of Cathedral, Raggie Cave, and Chunnel Cave. Don’t allow scuba skills training or scratching for shark teeth in the sandy areas here |
| 8. | Use torches, camera flashes and strobes with discretion to avoid startling the shark |
| 9. | Reduce overcrowding in peak times. Limit dive time to 15 minutes at Cathedral, Raggie Cave and Chunnel. Limit the number of groups to no more than 5 (preferably 2) per site |
| 10. | RAGGIE REST AREAS: Cathedral, Raggie Cave, Chunnel, Quinton Cave; overhangs near Anvil Rock, Chunnel and North Sands; the northern recess at Raggie Cave, and the sandy areas in front of Raggie Cave and Chunnel |
More information:
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