Overview
The Tiger shark can be readily identified by its cockscomb shaped, serrated teeth, which are recurvate and deeply notched on the inner margin. The teeth are the same in both jaws. The first two of the five gill slits are above the pectoral fin. There is a long, prominent keel along either side of the caudal peduncle. The young characteristically have very prominent, dark brown tiger stripes and leopard spots on the upper body and tail, but adults have less prominent markings.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Family
- Carcharhindae
- Genus
- Galeocerdo
- Species
- cuvier
Habitat
Tropical and warm temperate seas, but has been found during the summer season as far north as Massachusetts in the western Atlantic and Iceland in the eastern Atlantic.
Diet
Tiger sharks have the widest food spectrum of all sharks.
Behavior
The Tiger Shark may give birth to from 10 to as many as 80 young in one litter.
Fishing
It is a hard fighting, highly rated game fish. Fishing methods include live bait fishing while chumming from boats or trolling. Whole or cut fish or scrap meat is effective. Many tiger sharks have been caught after attacking fish being played by anglers. The flesh is not usually eaten, though it is certainly edible. Commercially, the hide is used to make leather, and fishermen use the flesh and liver for chumming.
Conservation Status
Listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.