Tiger sharks are named for the dark , vertical stripes found mainly on juveniles . As these sharks mature , the lines begin to fade and almost disappear .
These large , blunt-nosed predators have a duly earned reputation as man-eaters . They are second only to great whites in attacking people . But because they have a near completely undiscerning palate , they are not likely to swim away after biting a human , as great whites frequently do .
They are consummate scavengers , with excellent senses of sight and smell and a nearly limitless menu of diet items . They have sharp , highly serrated teeth and powerful jaws that allow them to crack the shells of sea turtles and clams . The stomach contents of captured tiger sharks have included stingrays , sea snakes , seals , birds , squids , and even license plates and old tires .
Tiger sharks are common in tropical and sub-tropical waters throughout the world . Large specimens can grow to as much as 20 to 25 feet ( 6 to 7.5 meters ) in length and weigh more than 1,900 pounds ( 900 kilograms ).
They are heavily harvested for their fins , skin , and flesh , and their livers contain high levels of vitamin A , which is processed into vitamin oil . They have extremely low repopulation rates , and therefore may be highly susceptible to fishing pressure . They are listed as near threatened throughout their range .
tiger shark
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http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/tiger-shark/
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