# 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! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Warm coastal waters - **Also known as:** Common Tiger Shark, Spotted Shark ![Tiger Shark](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426151/objects/4713.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Chondrichthyes - **Order:** Lamniformes - **Family:** Odontaspididae - **Genus:** Carcharias ## 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 - **Ever-Sharp Chompers:** Tiger Sharks have unique serrated, cockscomb-shaped teeth that can cut through bones and turtle shells, and they constantly replace them! - **Super Sniffer:** Tiger Sharks can detect tiny amounts of blood in the water because of their powerful sense of smell, helping them find prey. - **Camo Cloak:** 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 - **Maximum 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bottlenose-dolphin) (*Tursiops truncatus*) — Known to prey on sick or young dolphins. - **Hunts:** [Brown Fur Seal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tiger Shark? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Tiger Shark? 325-550 cm ### How much does Tiger Shark weigh? 385-900 kg ### How long does Tiger Shark live? 20-30 years ### What does Tiger Shark eat? Tiger Sharks are ocean vacuum cleaners, eating almost anything they find, from fish to seabirds! ### How fast can Tiger Shark swim? 35 km/h ### Where is Tiger Shark usually found? Warm coastal waters ### How does Tiger Shark hunt? Ambush ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Tiger Shark: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tiger-shark)