We were lucky enough to get up close and personal to a Tiger shark in crystal clear water to observe it devour a Cape Gannet Bird. The Tiger shark is not a regular shark to see on a bait ball, which makes this encounter all the more incredible! Tiger sharks are opportunistic feeders known for their scavenging behavior, which includes feeding on dead animals, as spotted in Port St. Johns this year.
Known for their distinctive tiger-like stripes along their bodies, these sharks are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of marine environments, from shallow reefs to deep oceanic waters. Their diet is broad and they are famous for eating just about anything they find or are able to capture, including fish, seals, turtles, seabirds, and even other sharks, making them one of the top predators in the ocean.
Notice how the shark shakes its head side to side rapidly, allowing its serrated teeth to act like a saw to tear apart the bird ~ Tiger Shark feeding on the carcass of a Cape Gannet Bird in Port St. Johns ~
While they primarily hunt live prey, they are also attracted to the scent of decaying flesh and will scavenge carcasses they come across in the ocean. This scavenging behavior helps them capitalize on available food sources and contributes to their role as important cleaners of the ocean ecosystem, helping to remove dead or dying animals and maintaining the health of marine environments.
