Tiger Shark – Galeocerdo cuvier

Where to See Them

Alternative Names

Unknown

Diet

A Tiger Shark’s diet consists of fish, turtles, clams, crabs, mammals, sea birds, reptiles, other sharks and anything else they can find.

Maximum Size

Tiger Sharks can grow up to 5.5m / 18 ft and possibly even larger.

Danger to Humans

High risk

The Tiger Sharks are considered high risk and are considered as one of the top four sharks responsible for attacks on humans. More than a quarter of the attacks on humans are fatal. It is all about how you are around them as with most animals. Many divers are taken out in Aliwal Shoal – South Africa and even though the dives are un-nerving at times there have not been any incidents.

Where they roam

Tiger Sharks roam warm temperate to tropical waters worldwide. The Tiger Shark roams both in the open sea and along the breakers at beaches. This is what brings them into regular contact with surfers. The Tiger Shark is most commonly present along the coasts of South Africa, the Philippines, Australia, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and in the Caribbean waters. They have been tracked down to depths of 350m / 1150 ft.

The Tiger Shark is a very large in size and known to be one of the top 4 sharks responsible for attacks on humans. This beautiful shark is named ‘Tiger shark’ because of the distinctive stripes that run down its back. Tiger Sharks are actually born with spots and the spots move out into stripes as the shark matures and then fade as the shark ages. The Tiger Shark has a massive head and very wide mouth. Its teeth are serrated and these teeth enable it to even cut through a turtle shell. The Tiger Shark has a wide variety in its diet and is known as the ultimate scavenger of all sharks. It is known that Tiger Sharks will eat practically anything and researchers even found a car number plate inside the stomach of one Tiger Shark.

The Tiger Shark is potentially a dangerous shark. They are very inquisitive and will most likely show interest in you if you are diving in their waters. Tiger Sharks are known to circle divers at the limit of visibility and then when comfortable will move in closer and even head straight for a diver before veering away at the last minute. The Tiger Shark is most commonly present in warm temperate and tropical waters along the coasts of South Africa, the Philippines, Australia, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and in the Caribbean waters. The Tiger Shark has up to 80 pups in a litter being approximately 75cm / 30in in length and can grow up to 5.5m / 18ft in length.

Stricken by fear?

You can dive with the Tiger Sharks without a cage in South Africa’s Aliwal Shoal. The most number of passes (a pass is measured to within 1m of the divers) in a single dive (1h30) was 68 in 2000 by a 4.5 meter female. There have not been any accidents or attacks on divers that have specifically gone on a trip to dive with them.