Tiger sharks live shorter lifespans in captivity, averaging 17-20 years, often dying of starvation due to the lacking appeal of dead food.
The average lifespan of tiger sharks in the wild is 27 years with a maximum estimate of 27-37 years.
Tiger sharks in captivity do not live as long, living a maximum of 17 to 20 years. In captivity, this species tends to die of starvation rather than old age, as food that is already dead is less appealing to tiger sharks.
• Image | ©️ Kahunapule Michael Johnson, Some Rights Reserved (CC BY-SA 2.0)
• Sources | (Afonso, Hazin, Barreto, Santana, & Lessa, 2012; Branstetter, Musick, & Colvocoresses, 1987; Draper, 2011; Ferreira & Simpfendorfer, 2019; Garcia, Lucifora, & Myers, 2008; Holmes, et al., 2015; Kneebone, Natanson, Andrews, & Howell, 2008; Meyer, et al., 2014; Natanson, Casey, Kohler, & Colket, 1999; Smith, Au, & Show, 1998)
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