This shark is usually associated with warm waters such as in Western Australia, tropical north Queensland and southern New South Wales. It is uncommon in Tasmania, although has been sighted at Eddystone Point (north-east Tasmania).

This is a big shark, the second biggest of the predatory sharks, and if you are lucky enough to see one it will be identifiable by its big teeth and dark stripes or bands down its body. Bands are faint in adults over 3m.

Family: CARCHARHINIDAE or whaler sharks
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical waters
Size: Up to 6 meters
Image: William White, CSIRO
Log it: Log a tiger shark sighting wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

• Australian Marine Life: The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters by G. J. Edgar, Revised (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne
   
• Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne
   
• Fishes of Tasmania by P. Last, E. Scott and F. Talbot (1983). Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority, Hobart