When you hear the word tiger, you likely think of a large fearless big cat that is the dominant predator in forests and grasslands.
But that’s not the only tiger that exists on this planet, and certainly not in marine ecosystems that we love here at MarinePatch.
The tiger shark is one of the top predators of the ocean. They live in warm, tropical waters and rule their ecosystem with an iron first (and very sharp teeth!)
In this post, we’re going to take a closer look at the appearance of tiger sharks and more specifically their stripes, to answer the common question; do tiger sharks have stripes?
Let’s find out…
Do Tiger Sharks Have Stripes?
Yes, tiger sharks have grey vertical stripes that cover their bodies and serve as camouflage as they often stay close to the coastline.
This helps young tiger sharks blend into their surroundings and hide from predators until they are large enough to fend for themselves.
As pups, tiger sharks have small grey spots that slowly morph into stripes as the shark matures at around ten years old.
Whilst the exact reasons for the stripes are unknown, it’s thought that they play an important role in camouflage, communication, and social behavior.
These stripes are what give this shark its name, as the stripes are similar to the stripes found on the big cat that roams the African plains.
How To Identify A Tiger Shark
When it comes to identifying a tiger shark, it’s pretty easy. One of the easiest ways to identify a tiger shark is through the stripes all over its body.
Once these sharks develop into adulthood, the grey spots on their body will turn into large vertical stripes.
This makes it easy to tell them apart from other sharks such as bull sharks or white sharks.
Another easy way to identify a tiger shark is to look at its nose. It will be blunt and short, with wide nostrils which are almost in line with its eyes.
You’ll also notice the size of these sharks makes them easy to identify. Tiger sharks are some of the largest sharks in the world, with adults reaching between 325-425cm and weighing a whopping 385-635kg!
Why Do Tiger Sharks Have Stripes?
Tiger sharks are notorious predators of the sea, with their notched razor-sharp teeth they are able to crack the shells of turtles with ease.
But that doesn’t mean there are no predators in the ocean that would make a quick meal out of a tiger shark.
Killer whales hunt in packs and are known as “wolves of the sea”. If they come across a tiger shark that looks like an easy meal they won’t hesitate to strike.
It’s still not clear why tiger sharks have stripes, but they are likely a defense mechanism to help them camouflage and stay unnoticed by larger predators.
It’s also thought that their stripes play an important role in their communication and social behavior, but until more research is done we can only speculate.
Do All Tiger Sharks Have Stripes?
No, not all tiger sharks have stripes, which is why they can often be confused with bull sharks.
Tiger sharks are not born with these stripes. As mentioned, baby tiger sharks (pups) are covered in grey spots which slowly transition into stripes as they mature.
However, as they grow older and older, the stripes start to fade once they reach adulthood, and often their stripes are barely visible in fully grown adults.
The older the shark the less visible the stripes, so it’s easy to confuse an old tiger shark with other shark species.
Are Tiger Sharks Born With Stripes?
Tiger sharks are not born with stripes, and instead, develop them over time when they reach a juvenile age.
However, as mentioned above, they don’t keep these stripes forever. Once tiger sharks reach adulthood often these stripes fade until they are no longer visible.
Do Any Other Sharks Have Stripes?
The pyjama catshark is another species of shark that has vertical black stripes. However, these two sharks are easy to tell apart simply by their appearance.
The pyjama catshark looks more like a catfish and is typically found in coastal waters surrounding South Africa.
Whereas the tiger shark closely resembles a bull shark only with vertical stripes on its body.
Whale sharks also have distinctive markings on their body, but they are much larger sharks that have grey bodies with white spots.
Conclusion
To conclude, YES, tiger sharks do have stripes. They are large predatory animals that likely have these stripes as a defense mechanism to let others know who is the boss.
But not all tiger sharks have stripes, and they usually only have them until they grow into adulthood and then the stripes vanish.
They are not born with stripes either, instead, they have spots that transition into stripes when they reach maturity.
Hopefully, this post has been a helpful resource to answer your question about tiger sharks and their stripes.
Hi, I’m George – the founder of MarinePatch. I created this blog as marine wildlife has been my passion for many years. I’ve spent over a decade in the marine wildlife industry and spent years out in the field conducting research. In today’s modern world, an online blog is the best place for me to share my findings and reach as many people as possible to help educate and inspire others. Enjoy your time here and you’re welcome back anytime!