The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), is a species which belongs to requiem shark and it is the only member of the genus Galeocerdo. Tiger sharks are large in size and grow up to a size of about 5 m in length. These sharks mature when they reach up to a length of (2 to 3 m). These sharks are found in tropical and temperate oceans. It is most common around central Pacific islands. The Tiger Shark got this name because of the black, tiger-like markings on its body. The tiger shark is considered as one of the most dangerous sharks to humans. However, the research says just opposite to what people feel. The attack rate is very low according to the research. The great white shark is considered to be the first on the basis of human attack. But, these sharks are in the list of threatened species.
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Tiger Shark Description
The tiger shark can be distinguished from the other sharks on the basis of their characteristics and body shape. These sharks have a broad, flat head with a snout, which is shorter than the width of the mouth. They have long labial furrows, and a slender body. Their caudal fin is long and pointed and has ridges on it. These sharks have sharp teeth with curved cusps. The juvenile of these species grow up to the size of (150 to 180) cm in length. These tiger sharks can vary in color from bluish or greenish gray to black on the upper part, and light gray to dirty yellow or white on the lower part.
Tiger Shark Habitat
Tiger sharks are found in the oceanic waters as well as in shallow coastal waters. The tiger shark can be seen in both tropical and temperate waters.
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Tiger Shark Diet
The tiger shark likes to move alone. They hunt mostly at night. These sharks feed on wide range of prey, such as squids, crustaceans, fish, seals, birds, smaller sharks, sea snakes, turtles and dolphins. These sharks have characteristics that they can survive on wide range of food and this is the reason they are also called as the most adaptable of all shark species.
Tiger Shark Reproduction
These species reach sexual maturity when it grows up to a size of (2.3 to 2.9) meters in male and (2.5 to 3.5) meters in female respectively. The female tiger sharks are known to mate once every three years. The tiger sharks breed by the process of internal fertilization. During mating, the male inserts its one of the claspers into the female's cloaca. The males use their teeth to hold the female during the mating process. The tiger shark is the only species in their family that is ovoviviparous. It means their eggs hatch internally and the young are born live when fully developed. The baby tiger sharks are (51 to 76) cm in length. The life span of these species is not known accurately but most often they can live longer than 12 years.
