Jinzo X's video: The Fearsome Tiger Shark: Apex Predator of the Ocean

Today, we're embarking on a fascinating journey beneath the waves to explore the murky realm of the tiger shark. These enigmatic creatures have long held our curiosity, inspiring both awe and intrigue as well as fear. But is this fear justified? Strap on your fins and let's plunge into the depths to uncover the truth about this magnificent ocean predator. Just like the largest big cat, the tiger shark's dimensions are intimidating. With the potential to reach lengths of up to 20 feet (or 6 meters) and boasting an impressive weight of up to 1,900 pounds (that’s about 860 kilograms), these majestic beings are some of the largest fish in the sea, and as such, they have very little competition. This size makes them one of the apex predators, and they’re one of the largest predatory fish on earth currently alive. However, this is a sleeker animal than the great white shark. In fact, tiger sharks can often match even great whites in length while being significantly lighter. While mostly restricted to temperate and tropical waters, this shark still covers a lot of habitats worldwide. Tiger sharks are found in both open waters and coastal waters, generally preferring areas where rivers flow into the ocean. They can be found at the coasts of all continents except Europe and Antarctica. They roam oceans all over the world, are highly migratory, and will travel hundreds of miles annually to feed in new territories. These voyages bring in a diversity of prey and are a testament to the flexibility of this successful predator. With large, doubly-serrated teeth equipped for cutting into both mammals and fish, the tiger shark isn’t known for its fussy eating habits and will even take on well-armoured sea turtles and seabirds. But like many of the most successful generalist predators, these sharks aren’t afraid to scavenge. Tiger sharks will feed on carcasses when the opportunity presents itself, and this flexibility can get them into some trouble. The aggressive nature of these sharks, and the apparent disregard for precisely what goes into its mouth has led this fish being found with licence plates, old tyres and burlap sacks in its stomach. In the ocean, even tiger sharks have predators. The great white shark, being the largest predatory shark, is more than big enough to hunt juvenile tiger sharks, as will other large species like giant hammerheads and bull sharks. But the ultimate predator in the ocean is the killer whale. At over five times the weight of a tiger shark, these are the undisputed apex predators, and likely the only animal on earth that can claim true dominance over every animal in its ecosystem. Shark finning is commonly blamed for the deaths of vast numbers of sharks across a multitude of species. But in reality, while tiger shark fins are on the menu in Vietnam and China, this is only part of the picture. Well over 100 million sharks are killed annually as a result of the global fishing industry, and the tiger shark makes up a portion of these. Shark attacks as a whole are exceedingly rare, but the ferocity and primal fear involved make them eternally memorable. As one of the “big three” along with great whites and bull sharks, some tiger sharks were known man eaters. These attacks are generally put down to a matter of mistaken identity, as is the cases of tiger sharks ramming a kayak. A Netflix crew also claimed their inflatable boat was rammed and bitten by a frenzied tiger shark while out filming. Another reason for shark attacks could be that they were specifically fed in these regions, therefore assuming that humans swimming there might be another tasty snack. However, it’s not thought that they actively seek humans to eat, but by the time an animal this big has had an investigative nibble on a person, there might not be all that much left. A recent tragic altercation involving a Russian expat swimming off the coast of Egypt showed this all too well. Ultimately, shark attacks are never 100% avoidable if there are people swimming in their natural habitat in the ocean. Sharks need to be respected as masters of their domain, and when choosing to venture out into that world, there needs to be an awareness of a certain level of risk. Still, tiger sharks are responsible for a relatively small percentage of recorded animal attacks on humans. Most interactions with tiger sharks do not result in attacks, and the vast majority of encounters are non-confrontational. You should still be very careful when engaging with them though. So, as we emerge from the depths of our odyssey, a profound realization takes hold: the tiger shark is more than a mysterious and frightening presence on our beaches. This is an ancient ecosystem engineer, whose presence dictates the very balance of its environment. Narrator: Larry G. Jones