Are tiger sharks dangerous?
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!
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!
- 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.
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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.
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.
A female can carry up to 40 babies each and they reach maturity at 4 years old.
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 ? |