Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo cuvier (Péron & Lesueur, 1822)

Introduction

The Tiger Shark is a large potentially dangerous species that is usually found in coastal, tropical marine waters.

3D interactive model of a Tiger Shark

_{3D model made by cdmstudio.com.au}

Identification

The Tiger Shark can be recognised by its blunt head, serrated cocks-comb-shaped teeth and its colouration. Small juveniles are grey with dark reticulations, which change to vertical bars in fish up to 3 m in length. The bars may be faint or lacking in individuals longer than 3 m.

Habitat

Although sometimes seen well offshore, it is not an oceanic species. Found on or near continental and insular shelves. In turbid areas such as estuaries and harbours to clear water lagoons and atolls. From the surface to ~150 m deep. They are most active at night.

Distribution

The Tiger Shark occurs worldwide in tropical and some subtropical waters, making seasonal visits to temperate areas.

In Australia the Tiger Shark is known from Windy Harbour in south-western Western Australia around the tropical north and south to the southern coast of New South Wales coast.

Feeding and diet

It is a scavenger that will eat a wide range of prey and even indigestible objects. Turtles, sea snakes, crustaceans, cephalopods, small sharks and fishes are common prey items and perhaps surprisingly also oceanic pufferfishes (Bonnie Holmes, pers comm. 2011). They have also been known to ingest seabirds, marine mammals, jellyfish and marine iguanas.

Life History

Tiger Sharks are viviparous (give birth to live young) and produce litters between 10-82 pups after a gestation period of 12-16 months. Young are born at ~51-76 cm and grow to over 6 m. Females mature at about 330 cm TL in 7-12 years and males grow to about 300 cm in 7-8 years. They can live for over 30 years.

Danger to humans

Due to its large size, scavenging nature and shallow-water feeding, Tiger Sharks are considered dangerous to people.