Tiger shark is a large shark that usually has dark stripes on its back and sides. It typically reaches 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.6 meters) long and weighs 850 to 1,400 pounds (385 to 635 kilograms). Some individuals grow larger. Its overall color is gray above and white on the belly. The stripes are prominent on young sharks and fade with maturity. The tiger shark lives in tropical and warm seas around the world. It may live near coral reefs, sea grass beds, open coasts, or oceanic islands.
Tiger sharks have curved teeth that are strongly serrated (sawlike). These teeth can cut through bones and turtle shells. Tiger sharks feed on a wide variety of large prey, including birds, fish, mammals, sea snakes, turtles, and other ocean animals.
Tiger sharks may live 40 years or more. Females give birth to as many as 80 live young. Tiger sharks are threatened by overfishing, and in some areas, their numbers are declining rapidly.
