The tiger shark, named for the characteristic vertical stripes that adorn its body, is a fascinating marine predator.

These gray-bars or spots are especially prominent in juveniles and remain faintly visible throughout the shark's life.

Dear Lykkers, measuring up to an astounding 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length and weighing nearly 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms), the tiger shark ranks as the fourth-largest shark species and the second-largest predatory shark, only surpassed by the great white shark.

Feeding Habits of Tiger Sharks

A Generalist Predator

Tiger sharks are notorious for their voracious appetite and ability to consume a wide variety of prey. Their diet includes fish, invertebrates, seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, stingrays, smaller sharks, sea snakes, and even carrion. They are also known for their indiscriminate eating habits, often ingesting non-food items such as metal, plastic, wood, and fishing gear.

Specialized Feeding Behavior

In certain regions, tiger sharks exhibit specialized feeding habits. For instance, in Hawaii, they frequently prey on green turtles and Hawaiian monk seals near nesting sites. Observations often reveal individuals with missing flippers, a clear sign of tiger shark attacks. At other island groups, these sharks are known to gather near seabird rookeries during the fledging season, preying on young birds that end up on the water's surface.

Reproductive Biology

Internal Fertilization and Live Birth

Tiger sharks mate via internal fertilization and give birth to live young. A single litter may contain anywhere from 10 to over 80 pups. Unlike mammals, tiger sharks do not form a placental connection with their embryos. Instead, the embryos develop inside individual eggs until hatching occurs, after which the mother delivers live juveniles.

Juvenile and Habitats

Newborn tiger sharks are natural predators, feeding on coastal fish and invertebrates. While grown tiger sharks dominate the open coast and coral reefs, juveniles are typically found in estuaries and protected bays. This division in habitat provides juveniles some protection from grown sharks, which may prey on them.

Global Distribution and Conservation Status

Widespread Presence

Although predominantly a coastal species, tiger sharks inhabit tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Some individuals migrate between island groups, showcasing their adaptability.

Threats and Conservation Efforts

Tiger sharks are listed as "near threatened" due to declining populations from targeted and accidental fishing. Their reputation as occasional attackers of humans has led to population control efforts in some regions, a practice universally opposed by scientists.

Fun Facts About Tiger Sharks

Tiger sharks can grow up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) long and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms).

The name "tiger shark" comes from the gray vertical stripes or spots on their bodies.

These sharks are known to eat nearly anything, from other marine creatures like fish, rays, and turtles to non-food items like plastics and metal objects.

Female tiger sharks can give birth to as many as 82 pups in a single litter, with an average of 30 to 35 pups.

While they prefer shallow coastal waters, tiger sharks have been found at depths of 1,150 feet (350 meters).

Tiger sharks remain a critical component of marine ecosystems, captivating scientists and ocean enthusiasts with their unique behaviors and role in the underwater world.