Tiger shark

What it is

The tiger shark is a large predatory shark and the sole surviving species of its genus and family. Adults typically measure between 3.5 and 4.7 meters, with females growing larger than males. The species gets its name from dark stripes on its body that resemble a tiger’s coat, though these markings fade as the shark ages. Its skin ranges from gray-blue to green-gray on top, with a lighter underside, providing camouflage in water. The shark possesses sharp, serrated teeth designed to slice through tough materials like turtle shells and bone. It has a wedge-shaped head and small pits on its snout containing electroreceptors that detect prey movements.

Where it lives

This shark inhabits tropical and subtropical waters across the globe, often staying close to coastlines and reefs. It follows warmer currents and moves toward the equator during colder months. Records show its presence from Japan to New Zealand in the western Pacific, and occasionally in the Mediterranean Sea. Significant aggregations exist around Fuvahmulah in the Maldives, where warm temperatures and consistent food support reproduction. Sightings also occur in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, off Africa, India, Australia, and Indonesia. Some individuals have been recorded at depths approaching 900 meters.

How it lives

Tiger sharks are solitary hunters that are mostly active at night. They possess the widest dietary range of any shark, consuming crustaceans, fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, birds, and even other sharks. Young sharks eat smaller prey like jellyfish and mollusks, while adults target larger animals including dolphins and seals. Their indiscriminate feeding habit leads them to ingest inedible man-made objects such as license plates and tires, earning them the nickname "garbage can of the sea." They swim slowly but can burst forward quickly to catch prey. The only known natural predator is the orca, which hunts them by inducing immobility.

Breeding and life cycle

Females reach sexual maturity at lengths between 2.5 and 3.5 meters, while males mature at 2.3 to 2.9 meters. Reproduction involves internal fertilization, with eggs hatching inside the mother before live birth. This process uses embrytrophy, where young develop in fluid-filled sacks rather than a placenta. Gestation lasts up to 16 months, resulting in litters of 10 to 80 pups. Each newborn measures between 51 and 76 centimeters long. Females mate approximately once every three years. The exact lifespan of the species remains unknown.

Fish and people

Tiger sharks are considered dangerous to humans, ranking second only to great white sharks in recorded fatal attacks, though such incidents remain rare. They are targeted by sport fishermen, with the all-tackle record weight being 810 kilograms. Their fins are valued in fisheries, contributing to their near-threatened status. In some cultures, they hold significance, but primarily they are viewed as apex predators and hazards. Conservation efforts focus on protecting populations from overfishing and finning practices that have reduced their numbers significantly.

Status and threats

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the tiger shark as near threatened. Primary threats include commercial fishing for fins and meat, as well as accidental capture in nets. Habitat degradation and climate change may also impact their survival. Protection programs aim to monitor populations, particularly in aggregation sites like the Maldives. Research uses photo identification and laser measurements to track individual sharks. Reducing fishing pressure and managing coastal development are key strategies for ensuring the species continues to thrive in global oceans.

Relatives and look-alikes

The tiger shark belongs to the order Carcharhiniformes, which includes hammerheads and catsharks. It is the largest member of this order and the only extant species in the family Galeocerdonidae. Historically, it was classified under different names, including Squalus cuvier and Galeocerdo tigrinus. It is often confused with other large predatory sharks like the great white, though it lacks the same streamlined shape. Fossil records indicate ancestors dating back to the Eocene epoch, with modern forms appearing around 13.8 million years ago.

Questions people ask about Tiger shark

Good reading and sources

• Tiger shark regurgitates whole echidna, leaving Australian scientists ‘stunned’The Guardian, Article

• Tiger shark on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data