Up to 18 feet long, weighing up to 1,780 lbs. Fusiform; gray or grayish-brown, darker above than on sides; specimens less than 6 feet long prominently marked on back with dark spots forming bars. Short snout, bluntly rounded, length much shorter than width of mouth; teeth alike in both jaws, deeply notched and strongly serrated. Small spiracle behind the eye. Dermal ridge on midline of back between dorsal fins, first dorsal much larger than second. Caudal peduncle with dermal ridge on each side; caudal fin falcate.

The Tiger Shark is considered one of the most dangerous sharks. It is said to be responsible for more attacks on humans than any other shark except the White Shark, possibly because it frequently enters very shallow water. It has been problematic in the West Indies and the Caribbean.

Near surface in coastal and offshore waters.

In Atlantic from Gulf of Maine to N.Argentina, including the Gulf of Mexico, West indies, and Caribbean. Most common in S.Florida and Cuba. In Pacific from S.California to Peru.

Tiger Sharks are voracious and omnivorous. The stomachs of captured specimens have been found to contain other sharks, fish, porpoises, turtles, beef bones, dogs, tin cans, and garbage.