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Its name, tiger shark, relates to the stripes on the back of the young As it matures, they slowly disappear. The belly of the beast is off white. The rest of the shark is dark colored.

The body is thick and the snout is blunt. This shark has a gill slit called a spiracle behind its eyes that improves vision by providing oxygen directly to the eyes and brain. This is useful to this night hunter.

The teeth are razor sharp. The shark is unique in the fact that these rows of serrated edge teeth are replaced as they wear out or break. This replacement takes place over the lifetime of the creature.

It is feared for its reputation of very aggressive behavior. It is second only to the great white in number of attacks on humans. Only fatal attacks are counted in this classification.

Glaeocerdo Cuvier is its scientific name. Weight is estimated as up to 700 kilograms and length over five meters. It attacks whales, sea turtles and sea lions. It also swims close to estuaries, preying on young birds that fly too close to the water.

They are found in tropical and sub tropical seas. Their habitat includes just off the shorelines as well as open waters. Except for mating time, they swim alone rather than in schools.

They are slow swimmers except when chasing prey. They can swim in short bursts of speed at that time. Well known for fatal attacks on people, this is not the first choice of food.

Reproduction is classified as ovoviviparous. This means it carries eggs internally and the pups are born alive. Gestation requires one year. They have been known to give birth to between ten an eighty two pups at a time.

The age of sexual maturity is between four to six years. The tiger shark lives for approximately twelve years. This extremely dangerous shark swims close to shore at certain times of the year. When they are spotted, lifeguards order all swimmers out of the water

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