Are tiger sharks dangerous?
There are many kind of sharks -and I love them all- but today, because we were
lucky enough to meet one at the Burma banks, it is tiger sharks I want to write about.
Far behind the whale sharks, tiger shark are still one of the largest shark species
measuring 3 to 4 meters, for an average weight of 500kg ! Usually found in
temperate and tropical oceans, tiger shark is usually a loner that hunts at night.
​​Here is a little FAQ about the mighty Tiger sharks!
lucky enough to meet one at the Burma banks, it is tiger sharks I want to write about.
Far behind the whale sharks, tiger shark are still one of the largest shark species
measuring 3 to 4 meters, for an average weight of 500kg ! Usually found in
temperate and tropical oceans, tiger shark is usually a loner that hunts at night.
​​Here is a little FAQ about the mighty Tiger sharks!
Credit: ActiveWild.com
You are probably wondering, can tiger shark kill you? Do tiger sharks attack humans? It is true that tiger sharks are considered to be particularly aggressive because of its little selectivity but accidents (and they are accidents, not attacks) with humans are rare.
Keep in mind though that shark bites, all species included, are very rare. There is less than 80 cases of shark bites per year worldwide, and less than 5 deaths per year worldwide because of a shark attack (more on this in this blogpost).
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These accidents, aren't attacks: they mostly occur on surfers or people attempting to feed them which is not at all recommendable as that only encourage further problems. So as a recreational scuba diver, really, I think we are pretty safe!
Keep in mind though that shark bites, all species included, are very rare. There is less than 80 cases of shark bites per year worldwide, and less than 5 deaths per year worldwide because of a shark attack (more on this in this blogpost).
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These accidents, aren't attacks: they mostly occur on surfers or people attempting to feed them which is not at all recommendable as that only encourage further problems. So as a recreational scuba diver, really, I think we are pretty safe!
Because its grey-brown body is streaked with dark vertical stripes, particularly visible in young adults, while juveniles have a silver-coloured livery that is spotted as Leopard. Tasks become bars with age and then disappear at sexual maturity. These stripes is what give tiger sharks their names.
Like most sharks, the tiger shark has highly developed sensory organs making them kindda a super hero, right?
- Lorenzini bulbs allow tiger sharks to detect electric fields as well as any vibration
emitted by their prey
- tapetum lucidum located at the bottom of the retina allows them, like cats, to amplify the light and see in the darkness.
All these sensory organs are adapted to its nocturnal hunting activity.
- Lorenzini bulbs allow tiger sharks to detect electric fields as well as any vibration
emitted by their prey
- tapetum lucidum located at the bottom of the retina allows them, like cats, to amplify the light and see in the darkness.
All these sensory organs are adapted to its nocturnal hunting activity.
Tiger sharks are supposedly present in all tropical and subtropical seas, but really it is mostly seen in the Caribbean, throughout the pacific and some times in the Indian Ocean (yeah !). Although not oceanic, they do operate large crossings between the Islands.
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Can tiger sharks live in soft water? Absolutely not. Like most sharks species, tiger shark can only tolerate salt water. The exception is the bull shark who can tolerate brackish water and have even been recorded cruising up large, warm, soft water rivers, such as the amazon.
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Can tiger sharks live in soft water? Absolutely not. Like most sharks species, tiger shark can only tolerate salt water. The exception is the bull shark who can tolerate brackish water and have even been recorded cruising up large, warm, soft water rivers, such as the amazon.
Tiger sharks are often considered the dustbin of the seas, swallowing all sorts of things indiscriminately, including human trash, as found in the stomach of fished specimens: cans, plastic bags or even license plates. This lack of discernment is one of the reasons it can be dangerous. Because of its lack of selectivity, its predation activity includes many prey: other sharks, birds, sea snakes and even sometimes whales, especially if they are sick or injured.
How do tiger sharks hunt? The tiger shark is considered a super predator. When hunting, the tiger shark tends to swim slowly and accelerate abruptly when it is close enough to its prey.
How do tiger sharks hunt? The tiger shark is considered a super predator. When hunting, the tiger shark tends to swim slowly and accelerate abruptly when it is close enough to its prey.
​« Tigers » is the only ovoviviparous of the Carcharhinidae family. This means that the eggs incubate and eventually hatch into the mother's womb. His gestation period is close to 1 year and the fertilised eggs remain in the belly of the female until hatching making them slow to reproduce. If a female is caught by fishermen baby sharks go with her...
A female can carry up to 40 babies each and they reach maturity at 4 years old.
A female can carry up to 40 babies each and they reach maturity at 4 years old.
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Like most sharks nowadays, tiger sharks are victim of fishing and bycatch. They are not yet endangered but International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), identify them as a near threatened specie.
While a bit scary, this encounter was magical! And I do hope to see one again soon! ​How about you ? |
Here is the only shot we could take of this very special encounter with a tiger shark !
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Join us for a lifetime adventure diving Burma on MV Smiling Seahorse. Who knows what you're gonna see?
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