The tiger shark is known by many as a scrupleless and ruthless man-eater. Although it is one of the most feared sharks in the world, many scientist still believe the shark to be gentile. The shark received its name from the markings on it's back, and is equipted with an intensely accute sense of smell.

Order : Carchahiniformes

Family : Carcharhinidae

Genus and Species : Galeocerdo cuvier

Average Length : 10-16 feet, may grow up to 23 feet

Average Weight : 2,200 lbs

Diet : Anything it can catch, including man

Lifespan : Uncertain, but approximately 30-40 years

Food, Feeding and Hunting : The tiger shark will devour anything it can get down it's throat. From sea lions, to turtles, to smaller sharks, to license plates and gasoline tanks to an occasional diver or surfer. Although the shark has good eyesight it depends on it's sense of smell to detect the smallest amount of blood in the water and to follow the trace to the source. A second means by which the tiger shark guides itself towards it's prey is by detecting even the faintest movements in water through sensitive electroreceptors. This feature allows the beast to locate it's victims in the most obscurred water. Before the shark ravages it's prey with it's large mouth of triangular teeth, it may circle the victim, building confidense if it is a rather large advasery. When the shark determines the precise time to attack, it will lash out at anything in it's path in a frenzied manner.

Beeding : Unlike spined fish, sharks breed by internal fertilization much like mammals. During matingthe male often holds onto the female with his teeth, thus injurying the female. The embyos are nurtured a nourished within the female's body, and upon birth they are fully developed with a full set of serrated teeth. They are completely dependant from their mother and immediately begin to hunt and devour anything it can swallow.

Distribution : The tiger shark is a seasonal beast which can be found in most tropical and coastal waters during the winter and spreading north to south during the warm summer days. There are large concentrations of tiger sharks in the Carribean and in the Pacific. They also frequent the waters surrounding the majestic Great Barrier Reef.

Conservation : Due to the shark's little commercial value, their only threats are ambitious sport fishermen seeking challenges.

Did You Know . . . . .

• The tiger shark pocesses serrated teeth which are so sharp they can easily slash through bone.
• Two-thirds of the shark's brain dedicated to the sense of smell.
• Scientist now believe that the shark learns to hunt from experience rather than from instinct.

The tiger shark has been responsible for more fatal attacks on man than any other species.