The Tiger Shark
Your average Galeocerdo cuvier
Basic Information
This shark typically grows from 10-14 ft long. Also, this shark's average weight is 850-1,400 lbs. The tiger shark can be noticed by its dark black markings and its large body size. The tiger shark is the most aggressive shark to humans.
Where is this shark found?
This shark is found just off the coasts of the USA, South America, and Asia. Most of these sharks can be found off the coast of Australia, though. Its habitat is the warmer, tropical water in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Classification Order
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Galeocerdo
Species: Cuvier
Diet of the tiger shark
The tiger shark is a carnivore. Specifically, the tiger shark eats squid, turtles, and fish. The tiger shark even eats other sharks. Fun Fact: The tiger shark only lives for 30-40 years.
Evolutionary Relationships
The tiger shark is in the class chondrichthyes. This class mainly has rays and sharks. An example of a ray that the tiger shark shares a class with is the bishop ray.
A few Tiger Sharks
Social Traits
The tiger shark's lifestyle is a solitary one. The tiger shark does not keep a mate for life.
Movement
The tiger shark can swim at a top speed of 20 mph.
Endangered Status
The tiger sharks are a threatened species. Since they are not significantly threatened, there is no need to intervene
Interesting facts
- When a tiger shark matures, its stripes fade.
- The average tiger shark lives up to 50 years.
- The tiger shark has earned the nickname "the wastebasket of the sea" because it will eat anything it finds. Researchers have found food from sting rays to old tires and license plates in a tiger sharks' stomach.