Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Phylum

Chordata

 Tiger Shark

Class

Chondrichthyes

Order

Carcharhiniformes

Family

Carcharhinidae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common names : Tiger shark
Diet : Small to large fish, including other sharks, squids, turtles, sea birds, sea lions, jellyfish, whale carcasses and any floating rubbish.
Reproduction : Ovoviviparous : Females give birth to anywhere between 10 and 82 pups after a years gestation. They mature at around 5 years.
Size : Maximum 7.4 metres  Average female 3.75 metres Average male 3 metres

 

Distribution of Tiger Shark Distribution : Worldwide in tropical  and sub-tropical  waters, far offshore to close inshore. They can be found during daylight at depths of around 150 metres beyond reef edges. At night they come inshore and enter shallow lagoons and bays where they feed.

   

Danger to man : A very dangerous shark. Has probably killed more people in the tropics than any other shark. It has a feared reputation in Hawaii, where it has attacked and often killed surfers and swimmers. Like the Great White, the Tiger shark has also been known to attack boats.
Economic Importance : May be a burden to certain tourist industries, but otherwise has little economic importance.
Other Comments : The Tiger shark is known as the 'garbage can of the seas' as it will swallow anything in it's path. Sharks that have been caught and cut open have been found to contain sheep, pigs, dogs, birds, car number plates, tin cans and various parts of humans.