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Tiger
Shark World
Record
~ 1780 Lbs. Caught at Cherry Grove, SC on June 14, 1964 by angler Walter
Maxwell Scientific
name
~ Galeocerdo Cuvier Other
names
~ Leopard shark, maneater shark, Spotted shark Identification
~ Bluish-green to dark gray or black along the back with a
yellowish-white to stark white underbelly. Probably the most easy to
recognize of the requiem sharks, the tiger gets its name from dark black
spots and vertical bars which run the length of the body. The
characteristic dark spots and stripes are most prominent in young sharks
and fade as the shark matures. The anterior portion of the body is stout
but becomes increasingly slender posterior to the abdomen. The tiger
shark has a robust head with large eyes and a very blunt snout. The
tiger shark has very distinct dentition. The jaws house large teeth with
curved cusps and finely serrated edges. Each tooth has a deep notch on
the outer margin lined with numerous cusplets. Size
~ One of the largest sharks, the tiger shark commonly reaches a length
of 10-14 ft and weighs over 850-1400 lbs. Habitat
~
The tiger shark is found throughout the world's temperate and tropical
waters, with the exception of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a
wide-ranging species that is at home both in the open ocean as well as
shallow coastal waters. Shallow areas around large island chains and
oceanic islands including lagoons, are also part of the tiger shark's
natural environment. It is often seen at the surface and has been
reported to depths of over 1000 ft. Feeding Habits ~ Tiger sharks are
solitary hunters that feed primarily at night as the shark moves further
inshore and closer to the surface. Undoubtedly the least discriminative
all species, the tiger shark has a reputation as an animal that will eat
almost anything. Preferred prey varies depending upon geographical
region but commonly includes sea turtles, rays, other sharks, bony
fishes, sea birds, dolphins, squid, various crustaceans and carrion. The
tiger shark's highly serrated teeth combined with the saw-like action
from shaking the head back and forth allows it to tear chunks from much
larger marine animals.
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