Tiger Shark
The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is one of the largest predatory sharks in the ocean, reaching up to 5 metres in length and weighing as much as 900 kilograms. It gets its name from the dark vertical stripes that mark its sides, which tend to fade as the animal matures. Found throughout tropical and subtropical seas, it ventures into coastal shallows, river mouths, harbours, and open ocean alike. Few animals in the sea are as adaptable in their diet: tiger sharks eat fish, sea turtles, rays, seabirds, dolphins, crustaceans, and even garbage that has ended up in the water. Their jaws are exceptionally strong, capable of cracking turtle shells with ease. They are mostly active at night and tend to travel alone. The species is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN, primarily because of fishing pressure and the demand for shark fins.
Habitat and distribution
Tiger sharks are found across tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, making them one of the most widely distributed large sharks on the planet. They are equally at home in the open ocean and in shallow coastal waters, and they regularly enter harbours, river mouths, lagoons, and coral reef edges. Unlike many large predators, they show no strong preference for a single type of habitat. Tagging studies have shown that individuals can travel thousands of kilometres, moving between coastlines and deep offshore waters depending on the season and prey availability. In some regions, such as Hawaii and the eastern coast of Australia, they come especially close to shore, which puts them in regular contact with human activity. Water temperature plays an important role in where they roam, with most individuals staying within waters above 22 degrees Celsius.
Diet
Few predators in the ocean match the tiger shark when it comes to the variety of things they will eat. Their diet includes fish, rays, sea turtles, seabirds, dolphins, crustaceans, squid, and even marine mammals such as dugongs. Their jaws are built for power rather than speed, lined with large serrated teeth that can crack open a sea turtle shell without difficulty. They are also known to consume carrion and have been found with entirely unexpected objects in their stomachs, from licence plates to pieces of clothing, which is why they have earned the nickname of the ocean's dustbin. Most feeding happens at night or during the low light of dusk and dawn, when the shark uses its keen senses to detect prey in murky water. This flexibility in diet is a key reason the species thrives across so many different environments.
Danger to humans
When it comes to interactions with people, the tiger shark holds a significant place in the data. It is responsible for more recorded bites on humans than any other shark species except the great white. This is partly a consequence of its habit of swimming in shallow coastal waters frequented by swimmers and surfers, and partly due to its tendency to investigate unfamiliar objects with its mouth. Most incidents occur in areas with warm, clear water such as Hawaii, Australia, and parts of the Caribbean. That said, attacks remain statistically very rare given how many people enter the ocean each year. Experts advise against swimming at dusk, dawn, or night, when tiger sharks are most active, and recommend avoiding areas near river mouths or fishing activity, where sharks may gather in greater numbers.
Behavior
Solitary by nature, the tiger shark spends most of its life moving alone through the water, covering vast distances in search of food. It is primarily nocturnal, with activity peaking after dark when it moves into shallower areas to hunt. During the day, it tends to retreat to deeper, cooler water. Despite being a slow swimmer in general cruising mode, it can accelerate quickly when pursuing prey. One of its most notable traits is its curiosity. Tiger sharks will approach and inspect objects that other species tend to avoid, which explains some of the unusual items found in their stomachs. Females are larger than males on average, a pattern common among sharks. Mating takes place in spring and early summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and the species gives birth to live young after a gestation period of around 13 to 16 months.
Conservation
Classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, the tiger shark faces sustained pressure from human activity across much of its range. Commercial and recreational fishing take a heavy toll, both through targeted catches and through bycatch, where sharks are unintentionally caught in gear set for other species. The shark fin trade remains a serious concern, as fins are removed and the rest of the animal is often discarded. Tiger sharks reproduce slowly, with females not reaching maturity until around 7 to 10 years of age and producing relatively small litters, which means populations recover slowly after being reduced. Some countries have introduced protections, including fishing restrictions and the designation of marine protected areas. However, enforcement across international waters is difficult, and the species continues to decline in parts of its range where pressure from fishing is greatest.
Technical factsheet
Where it is found
The Tiger Shark can be found in places such as:
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do tiger sharks get?
Tiger sharks are among the largest predatory sharks in the ocean. Most adults measure between 3.5 and 4.5 metres in length, though some individuals reach up to 5 metres. They can weigh as much as 900 kilograms. Females tend to grow larger than males. Their size, combined with powerful jaws and serrated teeth, makes them one of the most formidable hunters in any ocean environment.
Why are they called tiger sharks?
They get their name from the dark vertical stripes that run along their sides, which resemble a tiger's markings. These stripes are most visible in young sharks and gradually fade as the animal grows and matures into adulthood. By the time a tiger shark is fully grown, the pattern may have nearly disappeared. The name has stuck, though, and remains one of the most recognisable in the shark world.
What do tiger sharks eat?
Tiger sharks are some of the least fussy eaters in the ocean. Their diet includes fish, rays, sea turtles, seabirds, dolphins, squid, and crustaceans. They are also known to scavenge on carrion and have been found with man-made objects in their stomachs, earning them the nickname of the ocean's dustbin. Their strong, serrated teeth let them crack open turtle shells, which most other predators cannot manage.
Where in the world do tiger sharks live?
Tiger sharks are found in tropical and subtropical oceans across the globe, from the coasts of the United States, Australia, and South Africa to waters around India, Brazil, and much of West Africa. They are comfortable both in shallow coastal areas and in the open ocean. They tend to stay in water warmer than 22 degrees Celsius and have been recorded in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
Are tiger sharks dangerous to humans?
Tiger sharks are considered one of the most dangerous shark species to humans, second only to the great white in the number of recorded incidents. They tend to swim in shallow coastal waters where people also swim and surf, and their curious nature leads them to investigate unfamiliar objects. Most bites happen at dusk, dawn, or night. Even so, attacks are very rare considering how many people enter the ocean every day.
How do tiger sharks reproduce?
Tiger sharks give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Mating typically takes place in spring and early summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and the gestation period lasts around 13 to 16 months. A female can give birth to between 10 and 80 pups in a single litter. Females do not reach maturity until they are roughly 7 to 10 years old, which means populations are slow to recover from overfishing.
Are tiger sharks endangered?
The tiger shark is currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. The biggest pressures on the species come from commercial and recreational fishing, bycatch, and the demand for shark fins. Because tiger sharks reproduce slowly and mature late, their populations take a long time to bounce back once numbers drop. Some countries have put protections in place, but enforcing rules across international waters remains a serious challenge.