Galeocerdo+cuvier

 Tiger Shark Galeocrdo cuvier

The Tiger Shark is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. They were put on this list in 2000 because they are heavily fished and wanted for their valuable fins.



The exact population of this shark is unknown, but studies have shown that the population is only decreasing due to the threats that face Tiger Sharks.


 * Description:**
 * Have tiger-like stripes on their body: Dark back and an off-white underbelly
 * Large, thick body with a blunt snout
 * The first dorsal fin is much longer than the second, the caudal fin is long and pointed
 * 3.24-4.25 meters long and weigh 385-635 kilograms


 * Habitat:**
 * Tropical and sub-tropical waters: 62°N - 42°S, 180°W - 180°E
 * Western Pacific Ocean: as far north as Japan and as far south as New Zealand
 * Western Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic, Indian Ocean
 * Guided by the warmer currents, during the winter and cold they stay by the equator
 * Typically stay in deep waters up to 900 meters deep, but are also known to move into shallow waters to pursue prey
 * They have a very large range of different habitats
 * Anatomy:**
 * Have a special gill slit, a spirable, behind the eyes
 * Provides oxygen to flow directly to the eyes and brain
 * Keen eyesight to make it easier to see prey in low light conditions
 * Long fins and upper tails
 * Fins act like wings that move the shark swiftly through the waters
 * Tail provides speed
 * Dorsal fin spins quickly on axis
 * Extremely sharp teeth
 * Are able to slice through bone, flesh, even the shells of sea turtles
 * Like many other sharks, their teeth are replaced by rows of replacement teeths deep within the jaw


 * Diet:**
 * Scavengers
 * Feed on other sharks, rays, bony fish, marine mammals, tortoises, seabirds, sea snakes, squids, gastropods, crustaceans, whales, sea turtles, cephalopods, and even garbage
 * They are known to eat bizarre things like license plates
 * It was even recorded that one was found with a 13.5 lb tom tom drum in its stomach
 * Tiger sharks relie mostly on its acute sense of smell to find prey


 * Reproduction:**
 * Breed by internal fertilization
 * The male's pelvic fins is inserted into the female's genital opening which allows the sperm to pass through
 * Males use their teeth to hold the females motionless during mating
 * 10-82 pups per litter. Pups at birth measure between 0.5-1.05 m.
 * The pups are very slender with clearly defined vertical stripes which fade as they become adults.
 * Pups are nourished inside the body of the female for approximately nine months and are fully independent upon birth.


 * Importance:**

They tiger sharks have more of a negative importance than a positive one. They have a reputation for being very dangerous.
 * Considered the 2nd most dangerous shark because of its occurence in shallow water, large size and build, and eating habits
 * Although it is a confirmed human-eater; it doesn't hunt down humans, but many have been attacked
 * Scientific/Medical Benefits:**
 * Their fins are very valuable
 * Scientists are interested in their cartilage
 * Many believe they can help treat many illnesses, such as cancer


 * Threats:**
 * Hunted for their fins, skin, flesh and liver
 * Liver is believed to contain high levels of Vitamin A
 * Flesh can be used to make leather
 * Fins provide the spaghetti-like noodles in shark-fin soup which is very popular in Asia
 * Caught for sport by fishermen, and sometimes the government has eveb sponsored the fishing of tiger sharks.


 * Conservation:**
 * Rates of commercial and recreational fishing have both declined
 * Hawaii made it illegal to have any interaction with sharks


 * Solutions:**
 * 1) I don't feel that they are taking that many conservation efforts to save this shark. Although they are only Near Threatened, they should take more action such as more monitoring of the boats in the Hawaiian and Western Pacific waters.
 * 2) They could make more laws against the hunting of the Tiger sharks - pass laws
 * 3) Make reserves for the Tiger Shark so they are unharmed and safe from being targetted for their value.


 * Quiz:**
 * 1) Why were the Tiger Sharks given their name?
 * 2) What vitamin does the liver of a Tiger Shark contain?
 * 3) True or False: The Tiger Shark only eats marine fish.

[] [] [] []