One of the largest sharks in the world is the tiger shark. The scientific name of the tiger shark is Galeocerdo Cuvier. They are strong, but relatively slow-moving sharks that spend most of their time near the bottom searching for food. Despite their slow appearance, tiger sharks are one of the strongest swimmers of all carcharhinid sharks. Once the shark approaches its prey, acceleration allows it to reach the intended prey before it can escape (National Geographic). Tiger sharks are mostly ten to fourteen feet long. Tiger sharks weigh up to 1,400 pounds. Females are larger and the largest can be over 16 feet long. The tiger shark is the tenth fastest shark in the world. A tiger shark's skin can typically range from blue to light green with a white or light yellow belly. This gives the shark an advantage when hunting its prey. When the prey is looking at the shark from above, it will be camouflaged since the water below is darker. And when the prey is under the shark and looks up, of course, because of the sun, the shark's light belly also camouflages the shark. Dark spots and stripes are more visible in young sharks and fade as the shark grows. The tiger shark's head is somewhat wedge-shaped, making it easy and quick to turn to one side or the other. Tiger sharks also have a sensory organ called the lateral line, which runs down their sides for most of their length. The main role of this structure is to detect tiny vibrations in the water. These adaptations allow the tiger shark to hunt in the dark and easily detect hidden prey. A reflective layer behind the tiger shark's retina called tapetum lucidum helps detect light...... middle of paper...... bony fish, small sharks, rays, crabs, lobsters, small dolphins, turtles and squid . They feed cooperatively with other sand tiger sharks, surrounding and herding their prey into schools (Monterey Bay Aquarium). All tiger sharks are generally slow swimmers, which, combined with cryptic coloration, can make them difficult to detect by prey in some habitats. They are particularly well camouflaged against dark backgrounds. Tiger sharks are very vicious sharks, so they don't have many predators. The great white shark is considered a predator. Tiger sharks can also be killed by orcas. Their hard beak makes a good weapon, causing blunt trauma to the shark's pressure points (National Geographic). The tiger shark is considered the sacred na 'aumakua (ancestor spirits) by some Native Hawaiians who believe their eyeballs have special visual powers. perception.