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Found in both coastal and deepwater areas throughout the world, tiger sharks are named for the dark, vertical stripes that are often seen on juvenile tiger sharks (these stripes nearly disappear near adulthood), allowing for excellent camouflage. Unlike a great white, a tiger shark is unlikely to swim away after it bites a human (or an animal)—these giant, vicious fish tend to stick around until the job is finished, which is a part of

One way to identify a tiger shark is by its square nose.

why these sharks have such a scary reputation. Tiger sharks do not seem to care about the taste of what they eat, and once they get a bite of something, they keep eating until it’s gone. When surfers see the telltale square nose and bluish-green fin of a tiger shark coming their way, they know they need to get to the shore as fast as they can. In areas where tiger sharks are common, local residents know how important it is to watch for signs that they are nearby.

Listen to this surfer tell the story of being attacked by a tiger shark off the coast of Hawaii.

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