# Are Tiger Sharks Dangerous?

> Are tiger sharks dangerous? Realistic risk, when incidents rise, and safety basics.

- **Species:** Tiger Shark (*Galeocerdo cuvier*)
- **Conservation status:** Near Threatened
- **Diet:** Carnivore (highly varied)
- **Habitat:** Warm coastal and open tropical seas
- **Lifespan:** 20–30 years
- **Top speed:** Up to 32 km/h (20 mph) in bursts
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tiger-shark/are-tiger-shark-dangerous/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tiger-shark/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a large predatory shark of warm coastal and open tropical seas, named for the dark vertical bars that mark young animals. It grows to around 3 to 5 m and can weigh up to about 600 kg, swimming steadily on long-distance patrols and reaching bursts of up to 32 km/h (20 mph). An indiscriminate feeder with an extremely varied diet, it typically lives 20 to 30 years and is listed as Near Threatened.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need the full biology — use the [Tiger Shark profile](https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tiger-shark/) instead.

## Appearance and identification

The tiger shark takes its name from the dark vertical stripes along its flanks, boldest in juveniles and fading as the animal matures. It has a broad, blunt snout, a heavy body, and distinctive serrated, cockscomb-shaped teeth that can shear through bone and turtle shell. Adults commonly reach 3 to 5 m, with exceptional individuals larger still, and can weigh up to around 600 kg. Its blue-grey to greenish upper body over a pale belly is typical countershading that hides it from prey above and below.

## Help protect the Tiger Shark

Ocean wildlife is under mounting pressure from overfishing, bycatch and plastic pollution.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/tiger-shark/are-tiger-shark-dangerous/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.