Family: Carcharhinidae, Requiem Sharks view all from this family

Description To 18' (5.5 m); 1,780 lbs (807 kg). Fusiform; gray or grayish-brown, darker above than on sides; specimens less than 6' long prominently marked on back with dark spots forming bars. Snout short, bluntly rounded, length much shorter than width of mouth; teeth alike in both jaws, deeply notched and strongly serrate. Small spiracle behind eye. Dermal ridge on midline of back between dorsal fins, first dorsal much larger than second. Caudal peduncle with dermal ridge on each side; caudal fin falcate.

Warning The Tiger Shark is considered one of the most dangerous sharks. It is said to be responsible for more attacks on humans than any other shark except the White Shark, possibly because it frequently enters very shallow water. It has been especially problematic in the West Indies and Caribbean.

Habitat Near surface in coastal and offshore waters.

Range In Atlantic from Gulf of Maine to N. Argentina, including Gulf of Mexico, West Indies, and Caribbean. Most common in S. Florida and Cuba. In Pacific from S. California to Peru.

Discussion Tiger Sharks are voracious and omnivorous. The stomachs of captured specimens have been found to contain other sharks, fishes, porpoises, turtles, beef bones, dogs, tin cans, and garbage.