The tiger shark is a species of requiem shark and the only extant member of the genus Galeocerdo . Commonly known as the "Sea Tiger", the tiger shark is a relatively large macropredator, capable of attaining a length over 5 m (16 ft 5 in). It is found in many tropical and temperate waters, and it is especially common around central Pacific islands. Its name derives from the dark stripes down its body which resemble a tiger 's pattern, which fade as the shark matures. The tiger shark is a solitary, mostly nocturnal hunter, and is notable for having the widest food spectrum of all sharks, consuming a variety of prey ranging from crustaceans , fish , seals , birds , squid , turtles , and sea snakes snakes to dolphins and even other smaller sharks. Description The tiger shark commonly attains a length of 3.25–4.25 m (10 ft 8 in–13 ft 11 in) and weighs around 385–635 kg (849–1,400 lb). Sometimes, an exceptionally larg