Marine Life
The Grey Nurse Shark (*Carcharias taurus*) has long been misunderstood. With its intimidating rows of jagged teeth, it looks every bit the apex predator from a thriller film. Yet in reality, this slow-moving, docile species poses virtually no threat to humans. Known in other parts of the world as the sand tiger shark or ragged-tooth shark, the Grey Nurse is an icon of Australia’s east coast, inhabiting rocky reefs, sandy gutters, and coastal waters. Despite its calm nature, it is one of the most threatened shark species in Australian waters.
By ScubaDownUnder Team · Published 9 August 2025