Overview
The tiger shark gets its name from the dark stripes and blotches along the sides of young sharks, which look a bit like a tiger's markings. These stripes fade as the shark grows up. Tiger sharks are big, heavy-bodied hunters with a broad, blunt snout and powerful jaws, and they are one of the largest predatory sharks in the ocean after the great white.
Tiger sharks are famous for their enormous appetite and for not being picky at all. They will eat sea turtles, fish, birds, rays, and even other sharks, and their strong, curved, saw-edged teeth can crack right through a turtle's shell. Because they sometimes swallow strange objects, scientists have found all sorts of odd things inside them, which is why the tiger shark is sometimes called the garbage can of the sea.
| Where it lives | Warm coastal and open seas, near reefs, lagoons, and river mouths |
| Range | Tropical and warm-temperate oceans worldwide |
| Adult size | Commonly 10 to 14 ft (3 to 4.3 m), sometimes over 16 ft |
| Diet | Sea turtles, fish, seabirds, rays, seals, crabs, and almost anything else |
| Lifespan | Around 30 to 40 years or more |
| Depth or habitat | Surface down to several hundred meters, often in shallow coastal water at night |
| Keep at home? | No, a large and powerful wild ocean predator |
Marked like a tiger
Baby and young tiger sharks have bold dark bars and spots along their sides that give the species its name. As the shark ages, these markings slowly fade until an old adult may look almost plain gray. The tiger shark also has a wide, blunt head and a big mouth full of special teeth that are curved and notched with sharp saw-like edges, perfect for sawing through tough food.
Eats almost anything
Tiger sharks have one of the most varied diets of any shark. They regularly eat sea turtles, fish, seabirds, squid, rays, and smaller sharks, and their tough teeth let them bite through a sea turtle's hard shell, something few other predators can do. They will investigate all kinds of objects, and researchers have found unusual, indigestible items in their stomachs, which shows how curious and unfussy these sharks are.
Night-time roamer
Tiger sharks often spend the day in deeper water and move into shallow reefs and lagoons at night to hunt. They are strong swimmers that travel long distances, and some have been tracked crossing entire ocean basins. In places like Hawaii, they play an important role by keeping populations of sea turtles and other prey healthy, which helps the whole reef stay in balance.
Are they dangerous?
Tiger sharks are large and powerful, and they are one of the few sharks that people treat with real caution, because their bites can be serious. Even so, attacks on humans are still rare, and tiger sharks are not out hunting people. Simple safety steps, like not swimming at dusk or in murky water near river mouths, greatly lower the already small risk.
Important and threatened
As top predators, tiger sharks help keep the ocean healthy by controlling the numbers of the animals they eat. Sadly, they are listed as near threatened because many are caught for their fins, meat, and other parts. Protecting big predators like the tiger shark helps protect the entire web of life on coral reefs and in the open sea.
Fun facts
- Young tiger sharks have tiger-like stripes that fade as they grow older.
- Their teeth can bite right through a sea turtle's hard shell.
- Tiger sharks eat such a wide range of things that they are nicknamed the garbage can of the sea.
- They often rest in deep water by day and hunt in the shallows at night.
- Some tiger sharks have been tracked swimming across whole oceans.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a tiger shark?
Because young ones have dark stripes and blotches along their sides that look like a tiger's markings. The stripes fade with age.
What does a tiger shark eat?
Almost anything, including sea turtles, fish, birds, rays, and smaller sharks. It is one of the least picky eaters in the ocean.
How big does it get?
Tiger sharks are usually 10 to 14 ft (3 to 4.3 m) long, and some grow to more than 16 ft.
Is it dangerous?
It is a large, powerful shark that deserves respect, but attacks are still rare. Simple safety habits keep the risk very low.
Are tiger sharks endangered?
They are listed as near threatened, mainly because of fishing, so protecting them helps keep reefs and oceans healthy.
