This article recognizes some of the essential tiger shark facts for kids that are not known elsewhere including tiger shark habitat, diet, and reproduction. The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a member of the genus Galeocerdo.
These sharks are also recognized as Sea Tigers. Tiger shark is known to exist in several tropical and temperate waters. Most of these species are found in the Pacific Islands. There are stripes all over its body which is why they’ve been given the name of tiger shark.
These types of sharks are mainly the solitary hunters. Though occasionally, tiger sharks can be proved fatal to humans however, biologists and naturalists maintain that these sharks attack only when provoked. Let’s get down for more interesting facts about tiger sharks.
Tiger Shark Facts For Kids
- Tiger sharks are seen to dive 900 metres (3,000 feet) deep into the ocean even though typically they go at depths of about 350 m (1,100 feet).
- The length of the tiger shark measures around 3 – 4.2 m (9.8 – 13.8 feet), with a weight measuring at 385 – 635 kg (849 – 1,400 lb). Some male species have been known to grow up to 4.5 m (14 – 15 feet) long whereas females measure at 5.5 m (18 feet).
- These species have a skin color that varies from blue to light green. This helps in catching its prey and deceives completely through camouflaging.
- They have an exceptional capability to detect electric fields spawned by the prey. This quality allows them to hunt even at night.
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What Do Tiger Sharks Eat?
- Tiger sharks are opportunistic feeders and they are branded to consume almost anything. Tiger shark facts about its hunting display that these animals are competent enough to take on large-size prey.
- However, they predominanttigerly feed on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, seabirds, marine mammals, seasnakes, loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, and bottlenose dolphins.
- Dolphins always sidestep from regions that are purely dominated by tiger sharks. They have the reputation of eating other sharks.
- They seldom attack whales; nonetheless, a group of sharks once attacked humpback whale back in 2006 near and killed it.
Read More: What do Tiger Sharks Eat?
Where Do Tiger Sharks Live?
- These sharks inhabit all throughout the temperate tropical and subtropical waters. During winter, these species prefer to live in proximity to equator. They are also known to reside in the Pacific Ocean extending from Japan to the south of New Zealand.
- One of the largest concentrations of tiger sharks exists in the Gulf of Mexico, South America, North America, and Caribbean Sea. There are some other places where they are widely distributed such as Africa, India, Australia, Hong Kong, and China.
Reproduction
- At the age of maturity the males measure at 2.3 to 2.9 metres (7.5 to 9.5 feet) while females measure 2.5 – 3.5 metres (8.2 – 11 feet).
- Females mate once in every three years.
- In the northern hemisphere, mating period ranges from March to the end of April; while in the southern hemisphere, mating occurs in November and December.
- The eggs are hatched within the mothers’ body since they are ovoviviparous.
- The young needs 16 months to develop inside mother.
- Females litter 10 – 80 pups.
- The length of the new-born shark measures around 52 cm (20 inches) and 76 cm (30 inches).
- The exact lifespan of tiger sharks is not confirmed though they live longer than 12 years.
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