Tiger Shark
Galeocerdo cuvier
Megan Murphy
Order Carcharhiniformes -
Ground Sharks

Most dominant group of sharks ~200 described species

Anal fin

5 gill slits

2 dorsal fins

No fin spines

Mouth that reaches behind the eyes
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Nictitating eyelids
Family Carcharhinidae – Requiem Sharks
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Small or large

Nearly circular eyes

Usually no spiracles or barbels

Pectoral fins are completely behind
the 5 gill slits

Some don’t get bigger than ~28 in

Some grow to be over 9 ft

48 species - dominating the
tropical shark fauna

Wide habitat range

Variety of prey
Tiger Shark

Can grow to be anywhere from
over 18 up to 25 ft

Solitary except when mating

One of the few sharks that will
occasionally take human prey


Considered the most dangerous in
tropical water

Second only to great whites
Got their name from the dark
stripes on their body that fade as
they mature
Shortfin Mako Shark –
Isurus oxyrinchus
Order Lamniformes –
Mackerel Sharks

Long snouts

Mouth that stretches beyond the eyes

2 dorsal fins

1 anal fin

While in the womb they are known to feed on their siblings

Range from intertidal areas to the open ocean
Family Lamnidae –

Large, heavy bodied

Spindle-shaped

Small to moderately large eyes

Long conical snout

Large mouths with slightly
protrusible jaws

Large bladelike teeth

Largest get up to 20 ft

Found in all cold temperature
tropical seas

5 species
Mackerel Sharks
Shortfin Mako Shark

Fastest of all

Can swim at speeds up to 22-35
mph because of their torpedo-like
body shape

Live in tropical and temperate
offshore water

Can leap up to 20 ft out of the
water into the air

Large dark eyes

Up to 12 ft in length