There are four species of sand tiger sharks
The sand tiger shark Carcharias taurus
The Indian sand tiger shark Carcharias tricuspidatus.
Very little is known about this species which, described before 1900, is probably the same as (a synonym of) the sand tiger C. taurus
The small-toothed sand tiger shark Odontaspis ferox.
This species has a worldwide distribution, is seldom seen but normally inhabits deeper water than does C. taurus.

The Big-eyed sand tiger shark Odontaspis noronhai, a deep water shark of the Americas, of which little is known.

The most likely problem when identifying the sand tiger shark is when in the presence of either of the two species of Odontaspis.
Firstly, the sand tiger is usually spotted, especially on the hind half of the body.
However, there are several other differences that are probably more reliable:
The bottom part of the caudal fin (tail fin) of the sand tiger is smaller;
The second (i.e. hind) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is almost as large as the first (i.e. front) dorsal fin.

The first (i.e. front) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is relatively non-symmetric;
The first (i.e. front) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is closer to the pelvic fin than to the pectoral fin (i.e. the first dorsal fin is positioned further backwards in the case of the sand tiger);
There are four species of sand tiger sharks
The sand tiger shark Carcharias taurus
The Indian sand tiger shark Carcharias tricuspidatus. Very little is known about this species which, described before 1900, is probably the same as (a synonym of) the sand tiger C. taurus
The small-toothed sand tiger shark Odontaspis ferox. This species has a worldwide distribution, is seldom seen but normally inhabits deeper water than does C. taurus.
The Big-eyed sand tiger shark Odontaspis noronhai, a deep water shark of the Americas, of which little is known.
The most likely problem when identifying the sand tiger shark is when in the presence of either of the two species of Odontaspis. Firstly, the sand tiger is usually spotted, especially on the hind half of the body. However, there are several other differences that are probably more reliable:
The bottom part of the caudal fin (tail fin) of the sand tiger is smaller;
The second (i.e. hind) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is almost as large as the first (i.e. front) dorsal fin.
The first (i.e. front) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is relatively non-symmetric;
The first (i.e. front) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is closer to the pelvic fin than to the pectoral fin (i.e. the first dorsal fin is positioned further backwards in the case of the sand tiger);
Sand tiger shark