Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) picture gallery and detailed information. Includes links to species classification and external links for further informaiton.

Tiger Shark

The tiger shark has tiger-like markings on a dark back with an off-white underbelly.

Pups have spotted markings that grow together to form stripes that fade with maturity.

It has a large, thick-body with a blunt snout. The first dorsal fin is much longer than the second. The caudal fin is long and pointed. There is a dermal ridge along the back between the two dorsal fins.

Tiger sharks have a special gill slit (a spiracle) behind the eyes that provides oxygen flow directly to the eyes and brain. It also has a very good sense of smell, electroreceptors sensitive to electric currents in the water, and keen eyesight.

The Tiger shark is one of the largest sharks in the world, and adult specimens commonly reaches lengths of 325-425 cm (10-14 ft) On average they are about 10 feet (3 m) long and weigh over 385-635 kg (850-1400 lbs).

Tiger shark teeth are very serrated (saw-edged), razor-sharp, and curved. The teeth are the same in upper and lower jaws.

The teeth are located in rows, which rotate into use as needed. The first two rows are used in obtaining prey, the other rows rotate into place as they are needed. As teeth are lost, broken, or worn down, they are replaced by new teeth that rotate into place.

Tiger sharks will eat fish, turtles, crabs, clams, mammals, sea birds, reptiles, other sharks, and just about anything else that they can catch alive.

Tiger sharks go from the surface to 1,200 feet (340 m). They swim in tropical waters worldwide and in some temperate seas. They inhabit both the shoreline and open waters, ranging perhaps up to 500 miles. Tiger sharks are found worldwide in warm seas (tropical and subtropical).

Tiger sharks swim at an average speed of 2.4 mph (3.85 kph). They can swim in fast bursts, but can only sustain these high speeds for a few seconds.

The young of tiger sharks are born live in litters of between 10 and 82 pups. Gestation takes about nine months. At birth they are 20-30 inches (51-76 cm) long and are completely independent.

The tiger shark does occasionally attack people and is greatly feared, but people are not sought out by these sharks. The Tiger shark is second only to the Great White shark in number of reported attacks on humans. Fortunately though, attacks are rare. Its large size and voraciousness make it a formidable predator in the ocean. Tiger sharks can be curious and aggressive towards humans in the water and must be considered with a great deal of respect.

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