Tiger Shark
|
Scientific
Name |
Galeocerdo
cuvier |
| |
| Other
Names |
N/A |
| |
| World
Record |
1780lb |
| |
Description
Easily recognized by its
pattern - and often by sheer size.
Color is dark above, yellowish below.
On smaller specimens, the darker markings
take the shape of spots - hence the
name "Leopard." The big
ones become "Tigers" as
the spots grow and blend together
into stripes. The patterns, however,
do vary a great deal.
Habitat
The Tiger Shark is found
worldwide in tropical and some subtropical
waters. Although sometimes seen well
offshore, it is not an oceanic species.
Feeding Habits
They are an opportunist when
it comes to feeding. When a tiger
shark is hungry it will swallow everything
it comes across: Tarpon, moray eels,
gray mullet, sole, other sharks, sea
turtles, sea snakes, iguanas, crocodiles,
frigate birds, cormorants, pelicans,
penguins, albatross, sea lions, seals,
dolphins, dead whales, crayfish, crabs,
octopus, chickens, rats, pigs, sheep,
dogs, hyenas, monkeys, leather coats,
boat cushions, driftwood, conch shells,
horseshoe crabs, an unopened can of
salmon, a wallet, a two pound coil
of copper wire, nuts and bolts, bundles
of wool, cotton, silk, pens, plastic
bags, cans, bottles, pieces of metal,
bags of potatoes, coal, a drivers
license, a cow's hoof, a tire, nails,
the antlers of a deer, lobsters, a
chicken coop with feathers and bones
still inside, license plates, gasoline
cans, cigarette tins, men, women,
and children all have been found in
the stomachs of tiger sharks at one
time or another
Age and Growth
This is one of the larger
shark species; the largest individuals
are believed to exceed 18 feet and
2,000 lb. Adults mature at approximately
9 feet and litters are large, often
comprising from 35 to 55 pups
Tackle and Methods
At anchor or drifting with
live and dead bait often in combination
with chum.