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Other
names:
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leopard shark
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Scientific
name:
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Galeocerdo
cuvieri
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Genus:
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CARCHARHINIDAE
FAMILY
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Occurs worldwide in tropical and warm temperate seas, but
has been found during the summer seasons far north as Massachusetts in
the western Atlantic and Iceland in the eastern Atlantic.
Because of its large size, it is
sometimes confused with the white shark, but the two species look nothing
alike. The tiger shark can be readily identified by its cockscomb-shaped,
serrated teeth which are recurvate and deeply notched on the inner margin.
The teeth are the same in both jaws.
The young characteristically have very prominent, dark brown tiger stripes
and leopard spots on the upper body and tail, but adults have less prominent
markings and usually are just plain brownish gray or dusky ocher in color.
It is especially dangerous to man because of its proneness to attack,
its undiscerning habits, and its tendency to frequent shallow waters where
people swim.
It is a sluggish swimmer under normal conditions, but comes alive in the
presence of food, which considering the objects found in the stomachs
of captured specimens, can be almost anything. The list includes fishes,
crabs, turtles, stingrays, birds, other sharks, porpoises, dogs, rats
to name a few.
It is a hard fighting, highly rated game fish. Fishing methods include
live bait fishing while chumming from boats or trolling. Whole or cut
fish or scrap meat is effective. Many tiger sharks have been caught after
attacking fish being played by anglers. The tiger shark may give birth
to from 10 to as many as 80 young in one litter.
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