What Divers Should Know About Tiger Shark

The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) stands out as a highly versatile apex predator with the widest food spectrum of all sharks. This large, solitary ground shark is notable for its nomadic behavior, often found in tropical and temperate waters globally, particularly around central Pacific islands. Easily identifiable by the distinctive dark stripes resembling a tiger's pattern down its body—which fade as the shark matures—females of this species can exceed 5 meters (16 feet 5 inches) in length.

Primarily a nocturnal hunter, the tiger shark tends to inhabit deep waters that line reefs, though it moves into shallower channels while pursuing prey. Encountering one of these impressive animals can be a highlight; they are the second-largest predatory shark after the great white, with adults commonly measuring 3.5 to 4.7 meters (11 feet 6 inches – 15 feet 5 inches). While its formidable serrated teeth are designed for slicing through tough prey like turtle shells, interactions with humans are exceedingly rare.