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- Tiger sharks eat sea snakes, turtles, whales, seals and seabirds.
- Examination of their stomach contents revealed they had eaten antelope, penguins and dolphins.
- In terms of aggressiveness towards humans, they are close behind great white sharks.
The tiger shark is the second largest predatory shark and the fourth largest in the ocean. Named for the pattern on the side of its body that fades as it ages, tiger sharks can eat just about anything they can bite into.
Their diet is varied and includes fish, rays, smaller sharks, marine mammals and birds that fly too close to the surface. They are also the only sharks that eat turtles. Let’s take an in-depth look at what tiger sharks eat and whether they are dangerous to humans!
What do tiger sharks eat?
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Tiger sharks are predators first and foremost, they eat meat, including:
- various fish
- stingray
- Smaller sharks (including their own offspring)
- sea snake
- sea turtle
- seal
- seabird
- squid
- weakened or dead whale
They may also eat dead animals, and garbage dumped in the ocean is often found in their stomachs. Like newborn puppies, they will eat what they can get their hands on. A 2017 study examined the contents of tiger shark stomachs and found duiker, humpback dolphins, seabirds, African penguins, humpback whale remains and porcupine fish.
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Their research found that:
- 55% of tiger sharks include other sharks, rays or rays
- 51% Contains ray-finned fish
- 40% contains mammals
- 27% contain birds
- 13% Contains Crustaceans
- 6% contain reptiles
As you can see, tiger sharks eat extremely A varied diet and extreme opportunism!
Some tiger sharks have been found eating more specialized diets, especially where they are easily accessible. For example, the ocean near Hawaii is home to many green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals—a fact that tiger sharks in the area take advantage of.
However, they are usually not picky. If tiger sharks eat a less varied diet, the time between meals may be too long. This would be detrimental to the survival of the species.
Are Tiger Sharks Dangerous to Humans?
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Tiger sharks are sometimes called “man-eating sharks.” They are aggressive wild animals. The combination of being at the top of the food chain and being willing to eat anything doesn’t do people in the ocean any favors either.
The tiger shark is the second most aggressive shark to humans after the great white. However, this can make them sound like more of a threat than they really are. Since 1958, there have been 131 attacks on humans and 34 deaths. This makes them far less lethal than animals such as cattle.
In fact, sharks are constantly swimming around people – and usually they just ignore us!
You’re much more likely to be bitten by a dog than you are by a shark, though it’s fair to say that dog bites usually cause far less damage.
How do tiger sharks hunt?
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Tiger sharks swim closer to shore at night, where they find their prey. They use their slow movements and ability to camouflage in dark waters to sneak up on their prey before attacking with great speed.
They may circle or inspect prey before eating and are said to be very confident in their hunting abilities!
Their serrated teeth and strong jaws allow them to grip hard. They eat smaller prey whole, but may bite larger animals.
What do baby tiger sharks eat?
Small tiger sharks eat coastal fish, jellyfish, and molluscs. Tiger shark juveniles have also been found to prefer bird food, and have been known to wait for songbirds that migrate near the Gulf Coast, ready to catch any bird that gets in trouble.
They themselves are often vulnerable to predators and may even be considered tasty snacks by older relatives.
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Keep reading these posts for more incredible facts about key animals.
- What do nurse sharks eat? Their Diet Explained: A deceptive appearance makes these sharks a potential meal for the unwary. Learn how they take advantage of the bounty of the ocean.
- What do Greenland sharks eat? Greenland sharks are ocean cleaners and a surprising Icelandic delicacy with a penchant for rotting food. Find out what they might settle for for dinner at sea.
- What do bull sharks eat? These marine predators love to help themselves hunt prey around them. Discover what they might pursue.
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