The tiger shark is a species of shark found in tropical and temperate waters around the globe. Considered a macropredator, they are capable of growing five meters, or over sixteen feet, in length!

Fun Facts:

• The species garnered its name from the "tiger stripe" like bands that run down the length of their bodies. Interestingly, the stripes are most prominent in juveniles and fade into adulthood.
• Tiger Sharks are solitary hunters, meaning they hunt alone and are most active at night.
• More than any other species of shark, Tiger Sharks are known for their wide range of diet. They have been known to eat all manner of sea creatures, including fish, birds, crustaceans, turtles, seals, dolphins, and even other (and usually smaller) sharks!
• Their nickname amongst marine biologists and shark lovers is "garbage eater" due to their propensity to eat with little discrimination.
• Although sharks as a species are considered apex predators, Tiger Sharks included, they do sometimes fall prey to Killer Whales.
• Their conservation status is currently "Near Threatened" species, largely due to the controversial shark fin market. Shark finning is the practice of catching sharks, cutting off their fins to sell for profit, and dumping them back into the ocean.
• The practice is widely deemed cruel, as the sharks are returned to the ocean alive but unable to swim and, therefore, quickly suffocate. In response to this environmentally detrimental practice, shark fin soup substitutes have been created.
• Tiger Sharks rank second (great whites being first) in the number of recorded fatal attacks on humans. However, shark attacks on humans are actually extremely rare.