Although they are considered one of the three most dangerous sharks to humans, tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are surprisingly slothful, says Melissa Hobson.
These ambush predators prefer to wait for an easy meal rather than waste energy hunting and they’re not fussy eaters at all. Fish? Songbirds? A whole echidna? A license plate? These have all been on the menu for undiscerning tiger sharks.
These beautiful animals are easily recognisable for their bold tiger-like stripes, which are even more striking on juveniles but fade as they grow to be adults.
What are tiger sharks?
With their distinctive vertical bands across their bodies, tiger sharks are one of the most recognisable shark species. These large predators tend to be found in warm, shallow coastal waters so often come into contact with humans.
They have a reputation for being dangerous. Bull, white and tiger sharks make up the ‘Big Three’ – the three shark species that are most likely to bite humans. But although they are one of the more deadly species of shark, your chances of getting killed by your phone are much higher.
What do tiger sharks look like?
The name gives a big clue here – these sharks’ iconic striped markings are reminiscent of tigers. These stripes are bolder on juveniles, breaking up their silhouette to make it harder for potential predators to spot them. As they grow into adulthood – and are less vulnerable to predation – the bands fade and become more muted.
In terms of their shape, these predators have the typical look of a classic shark. They havelarge bodies with a broad head and curved, serrated teeth with a cusp that allow them to tear into prey. They can even rip through a turtle’s tough shell.
How big are tiger sharks?
Tigers are one of the largest predatory sharks in the world. They typically grow up to around 4.5 metres but 5.5 metre tigers have been recorded. They typically weigh between 390–635 kg
What do tiger sharks eat?
A more suitable question is probably ‘what don’t they eat?’ as tiger sharks are known for chowing down on pretty much anything.
These opportunistic hunters will chomp on fish, birds, and mammals. They can even saw through a turtle’s shell with their impressive teeth. But that’s not all – all sorts of things have been found in their stomach, from a fur coat to license plate and even a chicken coop.
One individual was observed vomiting up an entire echidna. It’s safe to say that these huge fish are not picky eaters. They have definitely earned their moniker ‘the trash cans of the sea’.
- Tiger shark vomits up spiny anteater, shocking Australian scientists
- This enormous shark was swallowed by an even bigger shark – and a lost tracking device reveals exactly what happened
How do tiger sharks hunt?
Like their namesake, the terrestrial tiger, these giant sharks are ambush predators. They are usually quite slow and move languidly through the water, preferring to sneak up on prey rather than chase them down. Some even call them lazy because of this energy-efficient hunting strategy. But when they find the right moment to pounce, they can accelerate incredibly quickly to catch their target before it notices them approaching.
Some animals have effective ways of defending themselves from tigers – scientists have observed electric rays delivering shocks to keep sharks away. To make things easier, tiger sharks often target the weak or dying – after all, they don’t want to risk their dinner escaping. What’s more, by removing sick or dying animals from the ecosystem, they help to keep the ocean healthy.
These sharks are scavengers as well as hunters. As well as going after prey while it is alive, they also conserve energy by eating carcasses they come across while swimming through the ocean. If an easy meal comes their way – like an already dead whale – they’re not going to pass up the opportunity to feed.
Where do tiger sharks live?
These huge fish are usually found in warm, shallow coastal waters. They like tropical and temperate waters with plenty of food and have a wide distribution around the world and can travel for thousands of miles on long migrations.
They are usually seen in shallow, coastal waters but can dive to at least 250m
How do tiger sharks reproduce?
Very little is known about tiger shark reproduction. Scientists have discovered that they mate via internal fertilisation and they are an ovoviviparous species. This means that the eggs hatch inside the mother’s body where they continue to develop until they are ready to be born.
Then, the mum delivers live young. While pregnant, a female can carry up to 80 pupsinside her womb. But we still don’t know where pregnant females go to have their babies.
How dangerous are tiger sharks to humans?
There are over 500 species of shark and most are harmless to humans. However, tiger sharks have a reputation as a species to be particularly wary of. Tiger sharks are considered one of the three most dangerous types of shark, together with great whites (Carcharodon carcharias) and bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas). They are sometimes known as ‘the Big Three’.
Although tiger sharks are one of the species more likely to bite a human, the chances of a negative interaction are still slim. In 2024, there were just 47 unprovoked bites globally from all species of shark. There are countless things more dangerous than sharks, including rip currents, lightning or even taking a selfie.
How long to tiger sharks live?
Their average lifespan is unknown but it could be between 20 and 50 years
Are they under threat?
Tiger sharks should be much more afraid of humans than we are of them. This species is threatened by many human activities, including habitat destruction and pollution. A key threat is overfishing. Tiger sharks, like many other species, are targeted by fishers for their meat, fins, skin and livers, which are used to make supplements. They can also be caught as bycatch.
These animals also reproduce slowly so it’s harder for their populations to recover from declines. They are classified as ‘near threatened’ by the IUCN Red List.
- What's the fastest shark in the world?
- Can any animals kill a great white shark?
- Dolphin vs shark: what's the difference between these charismatic ocean dwellers?
- It's based on real killer shark attacks and was filmed in a backyard swimming pool: 13 facts you didn't know about Jaws
- These are the rarest sharks in the world – and before long they could be extinct, warn Shark Trust
