- Maximum Length
- 5.5 m (18 ft)
- Primary Habitat
- Coastal-pelagic, deep channels, open ocean
- Diet
- Sea turtles, fish, seals, birds, almost anything
- Sighting Frequency
- Very Rare
About the Tiger Shark
Tiger Sharks are large, powerful predators named for the dark vertical stripes on juvenile specimens. While uncommon in Cozumel, they are occasionally sighted in deeper offshore waters and represent one of the largest predatory sharks in the Caribbean.
Behavior & Ecology
Primarily nocturnal hunters with an extremely varied diet. Known as 'garbage cans of the sea' due to their willingness to eat almost anything. Solitary and wide-ranging, they may pass through Cozumel waters during migrations.
Conservation status — Near Threatened
The Tiger Shark is classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Reporting sightings through BiodiversityOS helps researchers monitor population trends and identify critical habitats for protection.