You may have seen this species around the documentaries or shark diving videos, but how much do you really know about this iconic shark?
First described in 1822 and named for the 'tiger-like' pattern on juveniles, the Tiger Shark is one of the most striking and well-known species worldwide.
FAMILY: Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks)
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Galeocerdo cuvier
COMMON NAME: Tiger Shark, Leopard shark
TYPE: Fish
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened
SIZE:
Tiger sharks are the fourth largest shark and second largest predatory shark, behind only Great Whites. On average, Tiger sharks reach 10-14ft and weigh over 1,500lbs(385-635 kg) but have been recorded at a massive 18ft (5.5m) and over 2,000lbs!
Juvenile Tiger sharks reach adulthood around 6 to 8 years, with males reaching maturity earlier than females at around 7-9ft (females become mature at around 8-10ft in length). Once about every three years female Tiger sharks will mate. This species has a gestation period of 13-16 months and a single female can give birth to anywhere from 10 to 82 pups!
WATCH NOW: Get an INSIDE look!
VIDEO VIA Discovery Channel: Tiger shark ultrasound
AVERAGE LIFE SPAN:
On average, Tiger sharks live around 27 years in the wild, but scientists estimate they can live over 50 years.
DISTRIBUTION:
Tiger sharks are found in shallow coastal areas around large island chains, including lagoons or coral atolls; they're found along coastal reefs and been seen at depths of 1,150 feet (350 m) as well as using the open ocean to travel. In addition, tiger sharks are commonly seen in river estuaries, harbors, inlets or runoff areas which provide great habitat for a variety of their prey items.
DID YOU KNOW:
Adult Tigers have no natural predators, though juveniles may be eaten by other sharks, including adult tiger sharks...for this and other reasons, juveniles and adults live in slightly different habitats.
Adult sharks prefer the open coast and coral reefs while juveniles are typically found in estuaries and protected bays. This species is found in all tropical and temperate waters around the world.
DIET:
Tigers are famous for eating basically anything they find or capture. These sharks feed on anything from fishes and invertebrates, to seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, rays, smaller sharks, sea snakes, and even scavenged dead animals or human-made garbage (yes, including metal, plastic, wood, fishing gear, and other trash).
Not disputed as the least discriminate predator, some shark populations have been recorded to specialize on certain highly available prey and can vary depending upon geographical region.
One of the reasons this species is able to feed on just about anything is a big thanks to their tooth design. The tiger shark's highly serrated teeth combined with the saw-like action and shaking their head back and forth, tear chunks from much larger prey or sadly, objects of human origin.
WATCH NOW: Tiger Sharks and Their Teeth
Solitary, generally nocturnal hunters- Tiger sharks have a loose social hierarchy where larger sharks have first dibs at feeding activities (floating whale carcass events for example) any smaller sharks circle until the larger sharks are full.
CONSERVATION:
Tiger sharks are often curious and unaggressive when encountered yet are one of the three species most commonly implicated in shark attacks and fatalities. Like all sharks and wildlife for that matter tiger sharks should be treated with extreme caution and a great respect.
DID YOU KNOW:
Tiger sharks, bull sharks, and white sharks are commonly referred to as “The Big Three” for their involvement in shark attacks. These species are readily identified by the victims and witnesses. In cases involving smaller requiem sharks, the species involved are seldom identified as they are harder to tell apart.
This shark species in particular has a reputation as a shark that bites people (no matter how rarely) which makes them a main scapegoat and target of population control efforts- like the shark nets in Australia.
Data by observers on commercial fishing boats indicate that fishing pressure, particularly on juvenile tiger sharks has adversely affected their population. Tiger sharks are targeted directly for their fins, fmeat, and oil as well as indirectly from being caught as bycatch in commercial and recreational operations globally.
Tiger shark liver is used to produce oil rich in vitamin A for health supplements, or cosmetics, while their tough skin is used for as leather products. And if that pressure wasn't enough to overcome, the shark species remains a highly sought-after big game fish worldwide, fall victim to oceanic pollution and climate change effects.
Check out more in-depth information about
the Tiger Shark with the below source links and organizations!
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