The tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, is a large predatory shark found throughout the world’s tropical and temperate oceans. It is known for its wide-ranging diet and robust build. The common name comes from the dark, vertical stripes visible on the flanks of juveniles, which typically fade as the shark matures. Tiger sharks inhabit diverse marine environments, from shallow coastal waters and coral atolls to the deep open ocean. They are often regarded as second in size only to the great white shark among predatory species.
Typical Length and Weight of Mature Adults
The size of a mature tiger shark is substantial, with most adults falling within a predictable range. A typical adult measures between 3.0 and 4.3 meters (10 and 14 feet) in total length. Most mature individuals weigh between 385 and 900 kilograms (850 and 2,000 pounds), placing the species among the ocean’s heaviest predators.
These figures represent the standard size encountered in research across the globe. A relatively young, sexually mature specimen might weigh around 80 to 130 kilograms (180 to 290 pounds). However, fully grown adults often exceed the 1,400-pound mark, due in part to the sheer girth of the animal.
Record-Breaking Giants
Occasional individuals far exceed the typical adult size, leading to reports of truly gigantic tiger sharks. Scientific verification of these extreme sizes is challenging, as many large claims come from historical or anecdotal accounts. The largest reliably measured tiger shark was a pregnant female caught off Australia, reaching 5.5 meters (18 feet 1 inch) in length and weighing 1,524 kilograms (3,360 pounds).
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) all-tackle weight record is 810 kilograms (1,785 pounds 11 ounces), achieved by a specimen caught off Ulladulla, Australia, in 2004. Unverified historical reports describe individuals reaching up to 7.4 meters (24 feet 3 inches), but these figures lack the scientific verification needed for acceptance.
Growth Rates and Sexual Size Differences
The final size a tiger shark reaches is determined by its slow growth rate and significant differences between the sexes, known as sexual dimorphism. Tiger sharks generally reach sexual maturity between 7 and 10 years of age, though growth rates can vary significantly depending on the shark’s geographic location. For example, studies show that in the Gulf of Mexico, males may mature in seven years, while in the Atlantic, both sexes may take approximately ten years to reach maturity.
Female tiger sharks consistently grow larger and heavier than males. Males typically reach sexual maturity at a length of 2.3 to 2.9 meters (7.5 to 9.5 feet), whereas females mature at a slightly larger size of 2.5 to 3.5 meters (8.2 to 11.5 feet). The largest males rarely exceed 4 meters (13 feet 1 inch), but mature females are often larger than 3.7 meters (12 feet 2 inches) and can exceed 5 meters (16 feet 5 inches) in total length. This disparity in maximum size is thought to be an adaptation to accommodate the large litters of pups females carry during their long gestation period.