Latin Name: Galeocerdo cuvier
Location: Coral reefs across the world
Size: 4-6m
Fun Fact: A group of sharks, can be called a shiver
Sharks are apex predators and have existed since the time of the dinosaurs. Among them, tiger sharks are often viewed with fear, frequently listed as one of the “most dangerous sharks”. However, there’s far more to these remarkable creatures than meets the eye.
Appearance
Tiger sharks are among the easiest sharks to identify due to the distinctive stripes along their bodies—similar to those of a tiger. They are typically a blue-grey colour, with dark, vertical stripes running the length of their body. These stripes tend to fade slightly as the sharks mature, becoming less prominent than those seen in juveniles. Their striking pattern and impressive size make them some of the most photogenic sharks in the ocean.
They can grow up to 5–6 metres in length and appear quite bulky in comparison to many other shark species. Tiger sharks are the second largest predatory shark in the world, surpassed only by the great white.
Another characteristic feature is their blunt snout. Unlike most sharks that have a pointed snout, tiger sharks appear as if they’ve swum headfirst into a wall—making them easy to distinguish.
They also have unique teeth. The tips are angled and look as though they’ve been bent during development, unlike the straight, serrated teeth of great white sharks. These teeth are incredibly effective for slicing through tough materials, contributing to their varied diet.
Diet
Tiger sharks will eat anything and everything and they are well known for this. They are opportunistic feeders and have a diet that consists of turtles, seals, fish, squid, birds and even other sharks. But due to their large appetite this has also meant that these sharks will also eat rubbish. There have been tiger sharks found with tyres and license plates in their stomachs.
Location
Tiger sharks can be found on coral reefs across the world, but there are some areas where the sharks coexist in large numbers such as Hawaii, Bahamas, Fiji, Maldives to name a few. Most of the time these sharks live solitary lives and will come together to feed and mate, other than that, they are on their own.
Baby Shark
Shark mating is anything but romantic. The male will bite the female on the neck to hold her in place while manoeuvring his body to insert one of his claspers to fertilise her eggs. Once the act is complete, he swims off, and the female enters a gestation period that lasts between 13 and 16 months.
Tiger sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs develop and hatch inside the mother’s body. The first embryos to hatch will consume their unhatched siblings—a harsh but common trait among shark species. It’s survival of the fittest from the very beginning.
Once gestation is complete, the female will give birth to around 10–20 live young and then swim away, likely never to see her offspring again.
Threats to Sharks
Like many shark species, tiger sharks face a decline in numbers. The reasons are numerous: the shark fin trade, bycatch, pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss.
The shark fin trade, in particular, has a devastating impact. Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in some parts of Asia, although the fin itself offers no real flavour—it’s often served with a broth made from chicken or beef. The soup is more about status than substance.
The process of finning is brutal. Sharks are hauled onto boats where their fins—including the dorsal, pectoral, anal, and tail fins—are sliced off. The mutilated shark is then thrown back into the ocean, still alive. Unable to swim without their fins, they sink and eventually suffocate or bleed to death. It’s a horrific practice that continues despite growing awareness and global outrage.
Pollution is another significant threat. These animals were never meant to consume human waste, and eating debris like tyres and license plates not only endangers their health but also highlights the impact we’re having on marine ecosystems.
As apex predators, tiger sharks play an important role to help regulate the populations of various species, preventing any one group from dominating the ecosystem. This maintains a balanced, healthy ocean environment, where biodiversity thrives
Bad Reputation
Tiger sharks are incredibly curious and often display a bold nature, investigating objects and creatures they encounter in their environment. This curiosity, while fascinating, sometimes leads to human interactions that contribute to their fearsome reputation. But they are essential creatures in the ocean, wielding immense power and intelligence. While their reputation as dangerous predators often precedes them, a deeper understanding reveals that they are far more complex and fascinating than the myths surrounding them. By shifting our perspective from fear to respect, we can better appreciate their role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.