Introducing the Tiger Shark

The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a very scary shark. They are one of the most likely to attack humans, and unlike the great white, they are not likely to swim away after a bite. They are the ‘garbage can’ of the sea because they eat almost anything including squid, birds, sea snakes, and garbage like old tires and license plates. Their jaws are so strong that they are able to crack open turtles and clams. They got their unique name because of the stripes on their backs, which often fade as they age. These stripes may be a sort of camouflage, because when they are young they stay near the coast where the stripes look like a reflection of the waves. They prefer tropical and subtropical oceans around the world, particularly the coastal waters. These sharks can be monsters, up to 25 feet long and up to 1,900lbs. They are hunted for their skin, flesh, vitamin A rich livers and fins. They have lower reproduction rates which makes this fishing put a strain on their numbers. The females have the pups inside of her for up to 16 months. They can give birth to 80 pups at a time, with about 41 being the average. Although this may sound high, females can only reproduce after they reach sexual maturity at age eight, and then every three years after that. Surprisingly, there are few projects studying these huge predators, but there are tourist trips that can take you to see them.

Click here to see a trip option to go visit Emma the Tiger Shark!

Ritter, D. E. K., and H. Gay. N.p.. Web. 30 Oct 2013. <http://www.sharkinfo.ch/SI4_99e/gcuvier.html>.

. N.p.. Web. 30 Oct 2013. <http://www.sharks-world.com/tiger_shark.html>.

Witherington, D.. N.p.. Web. 30 Oct 2013. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/tiger-shark/>.

N.d. Photograph. n.p.