Top 10 Facts About Tiger Sharks

The tiger shark is a well-known species of the ocean, a graceful and beautiful animal that most fear. It represents boldness and strength.

It's a large, powerful apex predator known as the "ocean's garbage disposal" for its wild diet, pretty much eating everything from fish and sea turtles to even garbage.

The shark is identified by its faded grey striped patterns and grey body. These sharks are found globally around the Earth's tropical oceans as one of the biggest sharks, second only to the great white in attacks on humans.

1. Tiger sharks are the fourth largest species of shark

   

   On average, they can weigh as much as 1,300 pounds and grow 15 feet long. The largest tiger shark ever recorded was a jaw-dropping 1,780 pounds and 24.6 feet long.

2. Tiger sharks see well in dim light

   

   Just like their namesake, tiger sharks have excellent night vision. They have specially adapted eyes, which feature a layer of tapetum lucidum (reflective tissue) behind their retinas.

3. Tiger sharks are social

   

   It's a common misconception that tiger sharks are solitary creatures. Research indicates that they do socialise, especially in shallower waters close to the coast. They can also be picky about which sharks they spend time with and have demonstrated group hunting strategies.

4. There's more than one type of tiger shark

   

   While there's only one species of tiger shark, there is more than one type. Thanks to their migratory habits, there are tiger sharks all over the world. In the past, scientists assumed that different populations were interbreeding, but in 2021, new research revealed that those in the Indo-Pacific and those in the Atlantic are genetically different.

5. Tiger shark teeth are notched

   

   When you take a close look at a tiger shark's jaws, you will notice its teeth have dramatic notched tips pointing sideways. Another interesting fact is that the teeth on the right and left halves appear to be mirror images. They serve dual functionality! They allow the shark to grasp onto its prey and shear even the thickest of hides. So, tiger sharks can go after just about any available prey.

6. Female tiger sharks can give birth to massive litters

   

   After a gestation period of 13 to 16 months, a female gives birth to 10 to 82 pups.

7. Tiger sharks can enter a trance

   

   Rotating some sharks onto their backs causes them to enter a trance-like state for up to 15 minutes, a phenomenon known as tonic immobility.

8. Tiger sharks are one of the "big three" for their involvement in shark attacks

   

   Tiger sharks, bull sharks, and white sharks are the most common species to attack humans.

9. Tiger sharks are targeted directly for their fins, flesh and oil

   

   Historically, tiger shark liver was used to produce oil rich in vitamin A, while its thick, tough skin was used for quality leather. Tiger shark leather has long been used to make traditional Hawaiian drums. Besides its significance to the fishing industry, the tiger shark remains a highly sought-after big game fish in worldwide recreational fisheries.

10. Tiger sharks are fast swimmers

    

    They can achieve speeds of about 20 mph (32 kph).