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Tiger sharks will eat just about anything. That includes other fish, seals, and squid. Also cloth bags, plastic bottles, paint cans, even license plates. It’s no wonder their nickname is “trash cans of the sea.”
Tiger sharks are binge eaters. They may feed off a whale carcass one day. (A carcass is the dead body of an animal.) After that they may not eat at all for several days or even weeks. These sharks live mostly in the warm waters of the Earth’s oceans, both near and far from the shore. They’re also found in lagoons and harbors.
◀ A tiger shark’s stripes help keep it camouflaged in shallow water. The stripes often fade as the shark gets older. Instead of bones, a tiger shark has cartilage. That’s the same material your ears are made of. Tiger sharks use gills to breathe. They also take in oxygen through tiny holes behind their eyes.
▲ A tiger shark’s nose and jaw are covered with tiny pores. In these pores is a jelly-like material. The material senses electrical signals. These signals let the shark know that a possible meal is nearby. Whether it’s a tuna or even another shark, it’s on the menu.
Experts know how to put a tiger shark into a trance, or daze. One way is to flip the shark onto its back. This makes its breathing slow down and its muscles relax. Rubbing the shark’s nose also works. This causes the shark to become paralyzed. A trance can last up to 15 minutes. ▶
A tiger shark may grow to be over 20 feet long. It may weigh almost a ton.
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Why are tiger sharks important in Hawaii?
In Hawaiian culture, sharks – especially tiger sharks – are thought to be guardian spirits. They are linked to strength and watchfulness. Long ago, Hawaiians believed tiger sharks guided fishers and kept communities safe. That may be why Hawaii has strong laws that protect sharks. It is the only state to outlaw shark fishing.
