Tiger sharks

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Tiger Sharks

The tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, is a large (up to

18ft) predator found in tropical and subtropical waters

world wide. Tiger sharks are one of the three main shark

species known to attack humans, and are responsible for most

shark attacks in Hawaii. Less than one shark attack occurs

per year on average in Hawaii (compared to an annual average

of 40 thousand drowning) and mosts attacks are non-fatal.

This attack rate is surprisingly low considering that

thousand of people swim, surf and dive in Hawaiian waters

every day. Despite these statistics, sharks attacks remain a

highly emotive topic in Hawaii. This reaction is

unsurprising in a state that is economically dependent on

tourism and recreational ocean use. Killing tiger sharks

contradicts traditional beliefs of native Hawaiians, who

consider these animals to be sacred ‘Auma kua’ or ancestor

spirits.

This large sharks is to tropical waters what the great

white is to the temperate waters. Its is named for the dark

strips on its gray back, which pronounce in juveniles but

become pale or disappear in large adults. Its wide mouth,

broad nose, barrel chest, and the slenderness at the base of

its tail are distinctive. So, too are its heavily serrated,

cockscomb-shaped teeth. These, combined with is jaw

strength, allow it to cut the bodies of large sea turtles,

as w...

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