| To see more photographs of the Tiger Shark
(Galeocerdo cuvier) click here.
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
All images and text on this
page are copyright protected: © 2010 Kelvin Aitken.
All rights reserved. Students may use this information for
personal research only. Not for commercial use.
From knee-deep shallow sandy lagoons to deep ocean walls,
the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is the king of tropical
sharks. A blunt, almost square snout, large black eyes rimmed
with white and broad dark bands on the back and flanks easily
distinguish this shark from any other. The teeth are a distinctive
cockscomb shape, ideal for a wide variety of prey.
Born at 50 cm long, distinctly striped juveniles can grow
to 6 m. Sharks over 3.5 m become very deep bodied and heavy.
At maturity the broad dark bands may fade almost completely
to an overall mid- to dark grey; on the flanks the fading
colour merges with the white belly. Females give birth to
litters of 10–80 pups 12 month after conception. The
lifespan of Tiger Sharks is about 12–13 years.
Unlike many other sharks, the Tiger Shark has an indiscriminate
appetite and in their stomach have been found objects as bizarre
and diverse as plastic toys and human remains. At regular
seasonal intervals, however, Tiger Sharks are known to feed
on specific prey. For example, they appear to know the precise
locations and times of the year that certain animals, such
as turtles and birds, breed and they turn up on cue to feast
on the old, young, sick or unwary.
Tiger Sharks have attacked, killed and even eaten humans on
occasion so they should be treated with the utmost respect.
However when confronted with divers, they are usually very
cautious and shy, coming in only briefly to satisfy their
curiosity before departing for deep water.
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