The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) is a large coastal shark recognizable by its robust body, short, rounded snout, and especially its large first dorsal fin positioned far forward on the body. Despite its impressive size, it feeds primarily on fish and small marine animals and therefore contributes to the balance of coastal ecosystems.

Found in the tropical and warm-temperate waters of several regions around the world, it inhabits both coastal waters and offshore areas and can undertake significant seasonal migrations.

The sandbar shark has a robust, elongated body, a short, rounded snout, and grayish brown to bronze coloration on the back, contrasting with its white underside. It is particularly recognizable by its large, triangular, slightly curved first dorsal fin, positioned far forward on the body, just behind the pectoral fins. A small ridge connects its two dorsal fins, while its upper teeth are large, triangular, and edged with very sharp serrations.

The largest individuals can reach up to 10 feet in length as adults.

The sandbar shark inhabits the tropical and warm-temperate waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, as well as parts of the Mediterranean Sea, where it is found particularly on the continental shelf.

The sandbar shark sometimes undertakes long seasonal migrations, moving closer to shore at certain times of the year before returning to more distant or deeper areas.

The sandbar shark can be observed regularly in certain regions, particularly Florida, where it frequents coastal waters and returns each year during its seasonal migrations. The Jupiter area on Florida's east coast is one of the well-known sites for observing it.

The sandbar shark primarily lives in coastal waters and on the continental shelf, but it can also move farther offshore and, more rarely, enter oceanic waters. It is commonly found in bays, estuaries, and areas near ports, where it generally swims above sandy or muddy bottoms. It often swims close to the seafloor rather than near the surface.

It occurs from the surface to depths of about 919 feet, although it usually inhabits shallower waters. Young and adult sharks do not always live in the same areas. They often occupy different habitats depending on their age.

The sandbar shark is an opportunistic predator that feeds primarily on fish, but also on small sharks, rays, cephalopods, shrimp and other crustaceans, as well as gastropods, which it generally searches for near the seafloor.

Its diet changes with age. Young sharks consume large quantities of crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimp. As they grow, they gradually eat more fish and other prey.

The sandbar shark is a placental viviparous species: after fertilization, the embryos develop inside the female's uterus and receive the nutrients necessary for their growth through a structure that functions as a placenta. Gestation lasts about twelve months. A litter generally consists of 1 to 14 pups, which measure about 22 to 30 inches at birth.

Females reach sexual maturity at a size generally greater than that of males.

The sandbar shark is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The sandbar shark appears in the IUCN Red List since 2021 within the category Endangered !