Tiger Shark: Key Facts & Natural History

Quick answer

The tiger shark is a large predatory shark of warm coastal and open waters worldwide, named for the dark vertical stripes on young animals. It can grow over 5 m (16 ft) long and is known for eating an extremely varied diet, earning it a reputation as the ocean's garbage can. A powerful apex predator, the tiger shark can live around 20 to 30 years.

By Kaiser Khan , Founder Last reviewed July 10, 2026 How we research & review

Key takeaway

Overview

Biology

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is classified as Fish with conservation status Near Threatened. Typical weight about 600 kg; lifespan around 20–30 years.

Ecology

Diet: Carnivore (highly varied). Habitat: Warm coastal and open tropical seas. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.

People and this species

Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.

Behavior and biology

Tiger sharks are mostly solitary, nocturnal hunters that patrol large areas of coastline and open water, moving between deep and shallow habitats. Young tiger sharks have bold dark stripes that fade as they mature, giving the species its name. They have powerful, serrated teeth capable of cutting through tough material such as sea turtle shells.

Diet and feeding

Tiger sharks have one of the most varied diets of any shark, eating fish, seals, sea turtles, seabirds, dolphins, rays, and other sharks. They are also notorious for swallowing indigestible objects, which is why they are sometimes called the garbage cans of the sea. This broad diet lets them thrive in many habitats and adapt to changing prey.

Habitat and range

Tiger sharks live in tropical and warm-temperate seas around the world, from shallow reefs and lagoons to the open ocean. They often move into coastal waters at night to hunt and retreat to deeper water during the day. Some individuals make long migrations between feeding areas across entire ocean basins.

Conservation and human interaction

Tiger sharks are among the species most often involved in bites on humans, though such incidents remain rare relative to the number of ocean visitors. They are listed as Near Threatened, mainly because of fishing for their fins, skin, and liver oil, combined with slow reproduction. Their role as apex predators makes them important to the health of marine ecosystems.

Research notes

Figures for tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.

Practical takeaways

If you encounter tiger sharks in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Near Threatened) when discussing conservation.

Sources

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