Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassElasmobranchii
- OrderCarcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks)
- FamilyCarcharhinidae (Requiem Sharks)
- GenusGaleocerdo
- SpeciesGaleocerdo cuvier (Tiger Shark)
The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a species of ground shark, and the only extant member of the genus Galeocerdo and family Galeocerdonidae. It is a large predator, with females capable of attaining a length of over 5 m (16 ft 5 in). Populations are found in many tropical and temperate waters, especially around central Pacific islands. Its name derives from the dark stripes down its body, which resemble a tiger's pattern and fade as the shark matures. The tiger shark is a solitary, mostly nocturnal hunter. It is notable for having the widest food spectrum of all sharks, with a range of prey that includes crustaceans, fish, seals, birds, squid, octopuses, sea turtles, sea snakes, dolphins, and even smaller sharks. Wikipedia →
30–40% of wildlife watchers report a Tiger Shark sighting in Ningaloo Marine Park, based on 19 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Ningaloo Marine Park
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Galápagos Islands | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 3 | Isla del Coco National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Tiger Shark in Ningaloo Marine Park?
About 31% of wildlife watchers report a Tiger Shark sighting in Ningaloo Marine Park, based on 19 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Tiger Shark in Ningaloo Marine Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Tiger Shark in Ningaloo Marine Park in our monthly data.