Tiger Shark Trivia

The tiger shark is carnivorous.

Currently, the total number of tiger sharks worldwide is unknown.

Tiger sharks serve as a host for remoras, which are small suckerfish. Tiger sharks and remoras share a commensal relationship as the remoras attach to the tiger sharks near the underbelly.

Given the wide range of the species and the localities of the shark control programs, the tiger shark is suspected to have globally undergone an overall population reduction over the past three generations (53- 68 years) based on actual levels of exploitation from commercial, recreational, and unregulated fisheries, as well as shark control programs. A further population reduction is suspected over the future three generation lengths (2018-2086) based on current levels of exploitation that are likely to continue into the future.

Tiger sharks are one of the largest ocean predators ranging from 3.25-7.5 m. (10.66-24.6 ft.) in length and 385-862 kg.

In tiger sharks, the heterocercal tail, or caudal fin, is the primary source of propulsion. The caudal fin produces a downward thrust of water behind the center of balance in a shark, which should cause its head to turn upwards. However, because the tail also moves side to side, it keeps the head from turning upwards. Because of this, tiger sharks move in an S-shaped fashion.

Tiger sharks display sexual dimorphism in body size as females are smaller than males. Female tiger sharks average 2.92 meters in total length while males average 3.20 meters in total length.

The current Fisheries Management Program for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico includes quotas and fishing seasons to regulate catch of coastal shark species including the tiger shark. Some countries in the Arabian Seas region, such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the Maldives, have banned the targeted fishing for sharks, whereas others, such as Iran and the UAE, impose seasonal bans on shark fishing.

Litter sizes are relatively large, ranging from 10-80 pups. With a maximum of 82 embryos recorded, an average tiger shark litter consists of 26-33 pups.

The tiger shark is nomadic and highly mobile. This species has been noted to travel hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of kilometers. Individuals attached with transmitters swam up to 16 kilometers in a single day and did not return to that area for close to a year.

Many tiger shark pups will not survive to adulthood. Some juvenile tiger sharks fall prey to other sharks.

The average lifespan of tiger sharks in the wild is 27 years with a maximum estimate of 27-37 years.

Due to exploitation from commercial, recreational, and unregulated fisheries, the tiger shark has a “Near Threatened” evaluation on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is close to meeting “Vulnerable”.

Tiger sharks have no parental investment as mothers do not help their pups survive or find food or shelter. Male tiger sharks also play no role in the lives of their offspring.

The tiger shark’s sensing organs, called Ampullae of Lorenzini, are filled with a jelly-like substance.

Tiger sharks are some of the largest predators in the ocean and have few species feed on them. Some juvenile tiger sharks, however, fall prey to other sharks. Humans also fish for tiger sharks.

Tiger sharks are some of the largest predators in the ocean and have few species feed on them. Some juvenile tiger sharks, however, fall prey to other sharks. Humans also fish for tiger sharks.

The tiger shark has a circumglobal range in subtropical and tropical, warm, temperate oceans, ranging between latitudes of approximately 40°N to 36°S. It inhabits the coasts of all continents except Antarctica.

The tiger shark has a circumglobal range in subtropical and tropical, warm, temperate oceans, ranging between latitudes of approximately 40°N to 36°S. It inhabits the coasts of all continents except Antarctica.

The tiger shark has a circumglobal range in subtropical and tropical, warm, temperate oceans, ranging between latitudes of approximately 40°N to 36°S. It inhabits the coasts of all continents except Antarctica.

The tiger shark has a circumglobal range in subtropical and tropical, warm, temperate oceans, ranging between latitudes of approximately 40°N to 36°S. It inhabits the coasts of all continents except Antarctica.

Tiger sharks are nocturnal predators.

Large tiger sharks can survive several weeks without feeding.

The tiger shark’s common name derives from the unique camouflage patterning of juveniles. Tiger shark pups are born with tiger-like stripes on their back and a lightly colored yellow or white belly. This camouflage patterning and coloration provides protection against predators and allowed the juveniles to to blend in with the environment.

Tiger sharks are a popular gamefish, which are typically captured and released for sport. In some U.S. states, permits such as a saltwater fishing license, allow fishermen to collect the shark as a trophy.

The tiger shark is the only species of the family Carcharhinidae that is lecithotrophic viviparous, giving birth to live young.

Tiger sharks spend approximately 36% of their time in shallow coastline habitats, generally at depths of 2.5 to 145 meters.

Although it prefers the sea grass ecosystems of the coastal areas, it occasionally inhabits other areas due to prey availability.

While communally feeding on carcasses, sharks give off signals signifying dominance and thus the order in which they feed. During these group feedings, tiger sharks have a loose social hierarchy.

The tiger shark is threatened by exploitation from commercial, recreational, and unregulated fisheries.

The tiger shark relies on electromagnetic receptors to perceive its environment and to hunt prey. Tiger sharks also use organs to sense changes in water pressure and temperature. Members of this species also have a lateral line on both sides of the body that runs from the gill line to the base of the tail. The lateral line reads the vibrations in the water from the movement of other animals nearby.

The tiger shark relies on electromagnetic receptors to perceive its environment and to hunt prey. Tiger sharks also use organs to sense changes in water pressure and temperature. Members of this species also have a lateral line on both sides of the body that runs from the gill line to the base of the tail. The lateral line reads the vibrations in the water from the movement of other animals nearby.

The tiger shark relies on electromagnetic receptors to perceive its environment and to hunt prey. Tiger sharks also use organs to sense changes in water pressure and temperature. Members of this species also have a lateral line on both sides of the body that runs from the gill line to the base of the tail. The lateral line reads the vibrations in the water from the movement of other animals nearby.

The tiger shark relies on electromagnetic receptors to perceive its environment and to hunt prey. Tiger sharks also use organs to sense changes in water pressure and temperature. Members of this species also have a lateral line on both sides of the body that runs from the gill line to the base of the tail. The lateral line reads the vibrations in the water from the movement of other animals nearby.

Tiger sharks are polygynandrous, meaning males and females have multiple mates. Tiger sharks do not pair-bond at any time.

Female tiger sharks mate once every three years.

Globally, the tiger shark is caught by fisheries as a target species or incidental bycatch. They are a popular gamefish, which are typically captured and released for sport. In some U.S. states, permits such as a saltwater fishing license, allow fishermen to collect the shark as a trophy. The tiger shark is valued for its high quality fins, skin,liver oil, meat, and cartilage.

Globally, the tiger shark is caught by fisheries as a target species or incidental bycatch. They are a popular gamefish, which are typically captured and released for sport. In some U.S. states, permits such as a saltwater fishing license, allow fishermen to collect the shark as a trophy. The tiger shark is valued for its high quality fins, skin,liver oil, meat, and cartilage.

Globally, the tiger shark is caught by fisheries as a target species or incidental bycatch. They are a popular gamefish, which are typically captured and released for sport. In some U.S. states, permits such as a saltwater fishing license, allow fishermen to collect the shark as a trophy. The tiger shark is valued for its high quality fins, skin,liver oil, meat, and cartilage.

Male tiger sharks reach maturity earlier than females, maturing when they reach an average total length of 25 to 30.5 meters, whereas females reach sexual maturity when they reach 27.4 to 34.5 meters in length.

The tiger shark has relatively fast growth rates and large litters, but the likely triennial reproductive cycle reduces its ability to recover from fishing pressure. The widespread distribution of this species increases the likelihood that it will survive increasing levels of exploitation in certain areas.

The tiger shark has relatively fast growth rates and large litters, but the likely triennial reproductive cycle reduces its ability to recover from fishing pressure. The widespread distribution of this species increases the likelihood that it will survive increasing levels of exploitation in certain areas.

The tiger shark has relatively fast growth rates and large litters, but the likely triennial reproductive cycle reduces its ability to recover from fishing pressure. The widespread distribution of this species increases the likelihood that it will survive increasing levels of exploitation in certain areas.

Tiger sharks have a heterocercal tail, meaning the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin is longer than the ventral lobe.

Adults range from 3.25 to 4.25 meters in total length, although tiger sharks of 6 to 7.5 meters (25 feet) in length have been documented. Individuals larger than 5 meters, or 16 feet, in total length are rarely seen.

There are no specific conservation or management measures in place for the tiger shark. However, there has been an increasing interest to intensify protection of the species in the Western North Atlantic.

The tiger shark has a higher intrinsic rate of population increase than many other carcharhinid sharks.

Tiger sharks have very large home ranges and territories of about 23 square kilometers.

Tiger sharks in captivity do not live as long as in the wild, 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.

Members of this species have a lateral line on both sides of the body that runs from the gill line to the base of the tail. The lateral line reads the vibrations in the water from the movement of other animals nearby.

Tiger sharks have no parental investment as mothers do not help their pups survive or find food or shelter. Male tiger sharks also play no role in the lives of their offspring.

The tiger shark’s sensing organs, called Ampullae of Lorenzini, are located on the end of the nose and are filled with a jelly-like substance.

A group of tiger sharks is called a frenzy, gam, herd, school, shiver, or shoal.

A group of tiger sharks is called a frenzy, gam, herd, school, shiver, or shoal.

A group of tiger sharks is called a frenzy, gam, herd, school, shiver, or shoal.

The tiger shark is a saltwater species and inhabits marine neritic and oceanic habitats. It can be found near shelf, reef, and slope habitats and is sometimes associated with coral reefs.

The tiger shark is a saltwater species and inhabits marine neritic and oceanic habitats. It can be found near shelf, reef, and slope habitats and is sometimes associated with coral reefs.

Tiger sharks most likely rely on stealth rather than strength and speed to catch prey. If prey flee, tiger sharks may back off, not taking part in high-speed pursuits.

Young tiger sharks are born fully developed and independent with traits that help them survive without parents. This includes camouflage patterning and coloration to provide protection against predators, teeth to help capture prey, and speed to avoid predators.

Young tiger sharks are born fully developed and independent with traits that help them survive without parents. This includes camouflage patterning and coloration to provide protection against predators, teeth to help capture prey, and speed to avoid predators.

Young tiger sharks are born fully developed and independent with traits that help them survive without parents. This includes camouflage patterning and coloration to provide protection against predators, teeth to help capture prey, and speed to avoid predators.

Tiger shark stripes fade as the juveniles reach adulthood, which is around 6 to 8 years.

Fishing for these sharks is tiring as tiger sharks are very fast, strong, and not quickly or easily exhausted. Tiger sharks often perform aerial acts when hooked.

Gestation is approximately 13-16 months with a triennial reproductive cycle in Hawaii and Australia.

Female tiger sharks are observed in shallow areas more often than males.

Tiger sharks have also been documented in river estuaries and harbors.

The diet of tiger sharks includes mollusks, birds, snakes, crustaceans, sea turtles, and dugongs (Dugong dugon). Tiger sharks also often scavenge dead or injured whales.

The diet of tiger sharks includes mollusks, birds, snakes, crustaceans, sea turtles, and dugongs (Dugong dugon). Tiger sharks also often scavenge dead or injured whales.

The diet of tiger sharks includes mollusks, birds, snakes, crustaceans, sea turtles, and dugongs (Dugong dugon). Tiger sharks also often scavenge dead or injured whales.

The diet of tiger sharks includes mollusks, birds, snakes, crustaceans, sea turtles, and dugongs (Dugong dugon). Tiger sharks also often scavenge dead or injured whales.

Tiger sharks are solitary except during the mating seasons or while communally feeding on large carcasses.

Although very unlikely, tiger sharks enter shallow, populated areas of coastlines and attack humans on rare occasions.

Male tiger sharks have diametric testes, which are capable of synthesizing a larger amount of sperm than radial or compound testes.

Tiger shark breeding seasons differ in the northern and southern hemispheres. In the northern hemisphere, females delay fertilization until March or May in order to give birth between May and June of the following year. In the southern hemisphere, females delay mating until November or January in order to give birth between February and March of the following year.

Globally, the tiger shark is caught by commercial, recreational, small-scale, and artisanal fisheries as a target species or incidental bycatch and is subject to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations.

Globally, the tiger shark is caught by commercial, recreational, small-scale, and artisanal fisheries as a target species or incidental bycatch and is subject to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations.

Globally, the tiger shark is caught by commercial, recreational, small-scale, and artisanal fisheries as a target species or incidental bycatch and is subject to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations.

Globally, the tiger shark is caught by commercial, recreational, small-scale, and artisanal fisheries as a target species or incidental bycatch and is subject to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing operations.

There is regional variability in tiger shark sizes and ages at sexual maturity.

There is regional variability in tiger shark sizes and ages at sexual maturity.

Given the wide range of the species and the localities of the shark control programs, the tiger shark is suspected to have undergone an overall population reduction of close to 30% globally over the past three generations (53- 68 years) based on actual levels of exploitation from commercial, recreational, and unregulated fisheries, as well as shark control programs.

Tiger sharks serve as a host for remoras, which are small suckerfish. Remoras use the tiger sharks for transportation and protection. Remoras also feed on materials dropped by tiger sharks.

Tiger sharks serve as a host for remoras, which are small suckerfish. Remoras use the tiger sharks for transportation and protection. Remoras also feed on materials dropped by tiger sharks.

Tiger sharks serve as a host for remoras, which are small suckerfish. Remoras use the tiger sharks for transportation and protection. Remoras also feed on materials dropped by tiger sharks.

The tiger shark is found in the epipelagic zone of 0-200 meters and occasionally makes longer-distance excursions into the mesopelagic zone of 200-1,000 meters. The species mostly occurs to 100-meter depth but has also been documented several kilometers from the shallow areas and at depths greater than 1,000 meters with 1,136 meters being the maximum recorded.

The tiger shark is found in the epipelagic zone of 0-200 meters and occasionally makes longer-distance excursions into the mesopelagic zone of 200-1,000 meters. The species mostly occurs to 100-meter depth but has also been documented several kilometers from the shallow areas and at depths greater than 1,000 meters with 1,136 meters being the maximum recorded.

Tiger sharks have serrated teeth, making it easy to tear flesh and crack the bones and shells of their prey. Serrated teeth give this species the ability to penetrate the shells of sea turtles.

Tiger sharks have serrated teeth, making it easy to tear flesh and crack the bones and shells of their prey. Serrated teeth give this species the ability to penetrate the shells of sea turtles.

Tiger sharks have serrated teeth, making it easy to tear flesh and crack the bones and shells of their prey. Serrated teeth give this species the ability to penetrate the shells of sea turtles.

While communally feeding on carcasses, sharks give off signals signifying dominance and thus the order in which they feed. During these group feedings, larger sharks feed first. Smaller sharks circle around the carcass until the larger sharks are full, then move in to feed. Violence is minimal during these scavenging feasts.

The tiger shark is valued for its high quality fins, skin, liver oil, meat, and cartilage. The tiger shark has been increasingly exploited by fisheries since the 1950’s due to the increasing demand from the shark fin trade as the fins of this species are a common component of the Hong Kong fin trade.

The tiger shark is valued for its high quality fins, skin, liver oil, meat, and cartilage. The tiger shark has been increasingly exploited by fisheries since the 1950’s due to the increasing demand from the shark fin trade as the fins of this species are a common component of the Hong Kong fin trade.

The tiger shark is valued for its high quality fins, skin, liver oil, meat, and cartilage. The tiger shark has been increasingly exploited by fisheries since the 1950’s due to the increasing demand from the shark fin trade as the fins of this species are a common component of the Hong Kong fin trade.

The tiger shark is valued for its high quality fins, skin, liver oil, meat, and cartilage. The tiger shark has been increasingly exploited by fisheries since the 1950’s due to the increasing demand from the shark fin trade as the fins of this species are a common component of the Hong Kong fin trade.