Back to Species
Near Threatened
Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Also known as: Sea Tiger, Leopard Shark
The Tiger Shark is one of the largest predatory sharks, named for the dark stripes on juveniles that fade with age. Known as the "garbage can of the sea," they will eat almost anything, including license plates and tires.
Max Size
18 feet (5.5 m)
Lifespan
27-50 years
Depth
0-350 meters
Water Type
saltwater
Scientific Classification
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Carcharhinidae
- Species
- Galeocerdo cuvier
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat
Coastal watersOpen oceanHarborsRiver mouths
Distribution
Tropical and temperate oceans worldwide
Behavior
Tiger sharks are opportunistic predators that eat everything from sea turtles to birds to garbage. They are most active at night and can travel vast distances. They are curious and may investigate unfamiliar objects.
Reproduction
Tiger sharks are the only ovoviviparous requiem shark. Females give birth every 3 years to 10-80 pups after a 14-16 month gestation.
Conservation Status
Near ThreatenedPopulation trend: decreasing
Main Threats
- Fishing
- Shark finning
- Bycatch
🎉 Fun Facts
- They have been found with license plates, tires, and armor in their stomachs
- Tiger sharks have the widest food spectrum of all sharks
- Their stripes fade as they mature
- They are second only to great whites in attacks on humans
- Females give birth to 10-80 pups at once
