Range The Tiger Shark example essay topic

Tiger Sharks The tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, is a large (up to 18 ft) predator found in tropical and subtropical waters world wide. Tiger sharks are one of the three main shark species known to attack humans, and are responsible for most shark attacks in Hawaii. Less than one shark attack occurs per year on average in Hawaii (compared to an annual average of 40 thousand drowning) and most's attacks are non-fatal. This attack rate is surprisingly low considering that thousand of people swim, surf and dive in Hawaiian waters every day. Despite these statistics, sharks attacks remain a highly emotive topic in Hawaii.

This reaction is unsurprising in a state that is economically dependent on tourism and recreational ocean use. Killing tiger sharks contradicts traditional beliefs of native Hawaiians, who consider these animals to be sacred 'A uma ku a' or ancestor spirits. This large sharks is to tropical waters what the great white is to the temperate waters. Its is named for the dark strips on its gray back, which pronounce in juveniles but become pale or disappear in large adults. Its wide mouth, broad nose, barrel chest, and the slenderness at the base of its tail are distinctive. So, too are its heavily serrated, cockscomb-shaped teeth.

These, combined with is jaw strength, allow it to cut the bodies of large sea turtles, as well as seals, sea lions, and cetaceans. They are active at night, and enter shallow reefs and lagoons after dusk top feed. In certain areas they migrate between island groups to take advantage of colonies of young birds learning to fly over water. Generally, tiger sharks are sluggish, but they can move quickly when feeding, and should be treated carefully on the rare occasions they are sighted. If you see one while diving, calmly leave the water, keeping it in sight at all times.

To date over 130 tiger sharks ranging from 7 ft to 14 ft in length have been tagged and released. All tiger sharks tracked swam over 10 miles off shore along a similar course in the first 24 hours after release, and showed no sign of returning to Honolulu area in the following 48 h. Bottom monitor data indicate that although most sharks return to their original site of capture, time spent away from this area varies between individuals from two weeks to ten months. These results may suggest that tiger sharks have extremely la large home-ranges and that control programs are not unlikely to be effective in catching sharks responsible for attacks as these individuals may move beyond the fished area within hours of the incident.

Diet One of the few true scavengers, it has eaten cattle, pigs, donkeys, sheep, and humans that have fallen overboard. Ithas also has a liking for such spicy treats as venomous jellyfish, stingrays, and sea snakes. Reproduction The tiger shark is the only ovoviviparous requiem shark. Ithas between 10 and 8 pups after a years gestation. The young are 20-30" at birth. The mature after about 4 to 6 years, and live for about 12 years.

Habitat Adult tiger sharks spend their days beyond the reef edge to depths of about 500' (150 m), except at certain times of the year, when they also come inshore during the day. Range The tiger shark ranges world-wide in tropical waters, but has been spotted in the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of LEPreau tangled in fishing waters. Distinguishing Characteristics Extremely dangerous The sharks powerful body makes is capable to burst of speed Avery rarely seen Not common.