Tiger Shark

GALEOCERDO CUVIER
HABITAT
Tiger sharks jump around from the ocean floor to the ocean surface, depending on where the food is.
RANGE
Tiger sharks are nomads on the prowl. They can be found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world.
PREFERRED FOOD
Tiger sharks eat practically anything they can get their jaws around.
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About
  • Snout bluntly rounded, much shorter than mouth width
  • Serrated teeth with deep notch on outer margins
  • Spiracles present, small
  • Adults have tiger-like vertical bars that fade with age
  • Juveniles have bluish or green-gray to black backs with dark blotches
  • Low interdorsal ridge present

Similar Species: Teeth, short snout and markings distinguish this species from all other Carcharhinids

Size/Age

Maximum size about 15-18 feet in length and a weight of 2,000 pounds. Matures at approximately 7-10 years of age (about 10 feet) and is estimated to live 30+ years.

Habitat

Common throughout Florida and occurs worldwide in tropical and warm-temperate waters. Found in a variety of habitats including river mouths, shallow bays, and open ocean.

Feeding

Voracious feeders that will eat just about anything. Stomach contents have been reported to include sea turtles, many species of bony fish, marine birds, other sharks, porpoises, skates, rays, conchs, crabs, and garbage (for example, pieces of coal and wood, burlap bags, small barrels, cans).

Reproduction

Gives birth to live young after approximately 12 months of gestation. Broods contain 10-70 pups. Size at birth 27-34 inches.

Additional Information

Prohibited from commercial or recreational harvest in Florida state waters. Valuable commercial species in U.S. federal waters, with marketable flesh, hide, fins, and liver. Tiger sharks are second only to the great white shark in the number of bites on humans worldwide.

No one knows exactly how long tiger sharks can live, but estimates range from 20 to 50 years.

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