Great White Shark vs. Tiger Shark

Attribute	Great White Shark	Tiger Shark
Scientific Name	Carcharodon carcharias	Galeocerdo cuvier
Size	Up to 20 feet	Up to 18 feet
Weight	Up to 5,000 pounds	Up to 1,900 pounds
Diet	Seals, sea lions, fish	Fish, seals, birds
Range	Worldwide in temperate waters	Warm waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans

Physical Appearance

Great White Sharks are known for their large size, with adults typically reaching lengths of 15-20 feet. They have a pointed snout and a white underbelly, which is where they get their name from. Their bodies are torpedo-shaped, allowing them to move quickly through the water. Tiger Sharks, on the other hand, are slightly smaller, usually growing to around 10-14 feet in length. They have a distinctive pattern of dark stripes on their body, similar to a tiger, hence their name.

Behavior

Great White Sharks are apex predators, known for their powerful jaws and ability to take down large prey such as seals and sea lions. They are solitary hunters and often ambush their prey from below. Tiger Sharks, on the other hand, are known for their scavenging behavior. They are often referred to as the "garbage cans of the sea" because they will eat almost anything, including fish, turtles, birds, and even garbage. Tiger Sharks are also known to be more social than Great White Sharks, sometimes hunting in groups.

Habitat

Great White Sharks are found in oceans all over the world, but they are most commonly associated with coastal areas where their prey is abundant. They are often found near seal colonies or other areas where marine mammals congregate. Tiger Sharks, on the other hand, are found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. They are often found in coral reefs, but they can also be found in deeper waters and even in estuaries and rivers.

Diet

Great White Sharks primarily feed on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and dolphins. They are also known to eat fish and other sharks. Tiger Sharks have a much more varied diet, including fish, sea turtles, seabirds, and even other sharks. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything they come across, which is why they are sometimes referred to as the "wastebaskets of the sea."

Reproduction

Great White Sharks are slow to reproduce, with females only giving birth to a few pups every two to three years. They have a long gestation period of around 12 months. Tiger Sharks, on the other hand, have a faster reproductive rate, with females giving birth to litters of 30-80 pups every three years. Tiger Sharks have a shorter gestation period of around 14-16 months.

Conservation Status

Great White Sharks are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They face threats from overfishing, bycatch, and habitat destruction. Tiger Sharks are listed as near threatened by the IUCN. They are also threatened by overfishing, as they are often caught for their fins, meat, and liver oil. Both species are protected in many countries, but illegal fishing continues to be a major threat to their populations.