ExploreFish

Tiger Shark

Eugomphodus taurus

The Tiger Shark is a large shark known for its striped body. They are curious and often found in warm waters!

Habitat: Warm coastal waters

Appearance

The Tiger Shark is a large, powerful shark with a broad, blunt snout. Young sharks have distinctive dark stripes on their sides, resembling a tiger, which fade as they grow older. It has a countershaded appearance, dark gray on top and lighter white or yellow underneath.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassChondrichthyesOrderLamniformesFamilyOdontaspididaeGenusCarcharias

Tiger Shark

Interesting facts

A female Tiger Shark can give birth to an incredible 10 to 80 live pups in one litter!

These sharks are known for amazing journeys, traveling thousands of kilometers across oceans!

Tiger Sharks are sometimes called "ocean vacuum cleaners" because they eat almost anything they find!

Unlike many sharks, the Tiger Shark prefers to hunt alone and is mostly a solitary creature.

Special abilities

Tiger Sharks have unique serrated, cockscomb-shaped teeth that can cut through bones and turtle shells, and they constantly replace them!

Tiger Sharks can detect tiny amounts of blood in the water because of their powerful sense of smell, helping them find prey.

The Tiger Shark's dark back and light belly help it blend into the ocean from above and below, making it hard to spot.

Measurements & details

Length: 325-550 cm
Weight: 385-900 kg
Lifespan: 20-30 years
Swim Speed: 35 km/h
Max Depth: 350 m
Water Type: Saltwater

Diet & Feeding

Tiger Sharks are ocean vacuum cleaners, eating almost anything they find, from fish to seabirds!

Primary Foods

fish
sea turtles
marine mammals
seabirds
rays
other sharks

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Preys heavily on sea turtles, with strong jaws for shells.

hunts

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Known to prey on sick or young dolphins.

hunts

Brown Fur Seal

Arctocephalus pusillus

Frequently preys on seals and other marine mammals.

hunts

Great Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrna mokarran

Hunts and preys upon other shark species.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Ambush Predator

Meet masters of surprise! These clever hunters hide quietly and wait patiently for their prey to come close before pouncing with a quick move.

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.