Page 421 - Micronesia

iger Shark - The tiger shark is a relatively large macropreda- he whale shark is a slow-moving filter feeding shark and the

T tor, capable of attaining a length over 5 m (16 ft). It is found T largest known fish. The largest confirmed individual had a
in many tropical and temperate waters, and it is especially com- length of 12.65 meters and a weight of more than 21.5 metric tons.

mon around central Pacific islands. Its name derives from the dark Unconfirmed reports of considerably larger whale sharks exist.

stripes down its body which resemble a tiger’s pattern, which fade Whale sharks can grow to the size of a bus. The whale shark holds

as the shark matures. The tiger shark is a solitary, mostly nocturnal many records for sheer size in the animal kingdom, most notably

hunter, and is notable for having the widest food spectrum of all being by far the largest living non-mammalian vertebrate, rivalling

sharks, consuming a variety of prey ranging from crustaceans, fish, many of the largest dinosaurs in weight. The species originated

seals, birds, squid, turtles, and sea snakes to dolphins and even about 60 million years ago. The whale shark is found in tropi-

other smaller sharks. The tiger shark has been known to eat ined- cal and warm oceans and lives in the open sea, with a lifespan of

ible manmade objects that linger in its stomach, and it has a repu- about 70 years.

tation as a “garbage eater”. The tiger shark is considered a near
threatened species due to finning and fishing by humans. The tiger
emon Shark - Size: Maximum 11.5 feet. The Lemon shark has
Lshark ranks in size only behind the whale shark, the basking shark, a massive body of a yellowish brown color, easy to recognize

the great white shark, and the great hammerhead. Due to high because of its large dorsal fins of the same size, its visible set

risk of predatory attacks, dolphins often avoid regions inhabited of smooth, sharp teeth and its little yellow eye in the form of a

by tiger sharks. The tiger shark is responsible for a large percent- lemon, hence its name. It is the lord of the reef, given its size and

age of fatal attacks and is regarded as one of the most dangerous weight. Reacts actively to stimuli during a dive and is considered

shark species. They often visit shallow reefs, harbors, and canals, to be one of the most imposing figures one can come across at

creating the potential for encounter with humans. The tiger shark the dive sites. It is often found resting on the bottom, close to the

also dwells in river mouths and other runoff-rich water. While the coast from the surface down to a depth of 90 meters. It is an active

tiger shark is considered to be one of the sharks most dangerous hunter of fish, shellfish, sea birds and small rays

to humans, its attack rate is low. The tiger is second on the list of

number of recorded attacks on humans, with the great white shark

being first. Whale Shark -