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- DictionaryTi·ger shark/ˈtīɡər SHärk/
noun
- 1. an aggressive shark of warm seas, with dark vertical stripes on the body.
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The tiger shark is a solitary, mostly nocturnal hunter. It is notable for having the widest food spectrum of all sharks, with a range of prey that includes crustaceans, fish, seals, birds, squid, turtles, sea snakes, dolphins, and even other, smaller sharks.
What are tiger sharks? Tiger sharks are named for the dark, vertical stripes found mainly on juveniles. As these sharks mature, the lines begin to fade and almost disappear.
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The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a species of ground shark, and the only extant member of the genus Galeocerdo and family Galeocerdonidae. It is a large macropredator, with females capable of attaining a length of over 5 m (16 ft 5 in).
Tiger sharks are a large species of predatory shark native to subtropical and tropical coastlines worldwide. They are a large species, and exceptional individuals can reach 18 ft. long, and possibly longer!
- Up to 50 years
- Up to 900kg (2,000 lbs)
- Up to 5m (16ft)
- It is one of three sharks species known as “man-eaters” This is due to incidents of fatal attacks on humans. The nickname is misleading, however, as fatal attacks by tiger sharks are rare, and more human fatalities occur by drowning in coastal waters.
- It inhabits different kinds of marine habitats. Previously thought to live in shallow coastal areas, where its prey feeds on nutrient-rich waters, it has recently been found up to depths of 350m, and travels long distances in open oceans, following warm currents between islands.
- Its dark stripes fade as the shark matures. Skin coloration can be helpful to identify shark species but, in the case of the tiger shark, it’s only the youngster who shows the distinctive dark lines and spots, perhaps for better camouflage in the shadows of waves.
- Its skin feels like sandpaper. The surface of its skin is covered with tiny teeth-like structures which are thought to reduce friction with water as it swims.
The tiger shark, or Galeocerdo cuvier, is the last remaining member of the Galeocerdo genus. This apex predator is a requiem shark, and it is near threatened because of fishing and finning. Table of Contents. Characteristics & Appearance. Weight & Length. Tiger sharks can achieve weights of 850-1,400 pounds and lengths of 10-14 feet.
Nov 24, 2020 · Tiger sharks are found in many temperate and tropical oceans and are known for their distinctive stripes and spots on their flanks, which resemble a tiger’s stripes. They are among the largest extant shark species, ranking behind only the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark in average size.
