From antelopes to TVs, tiger sharks are far from picky eaters and will even brave hurricanes for a feast. Luckily, their extreme diet has upsides for others too.
The size of a small bus yet streamlined like a torpedo, and with an immensely powerful bite force, tiger sharks are one of the world's largest predatory sharks.
They are the "tanks" of the sea, says Neil Hammerschlag, lead researcher at the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network. Plus, they boast the widest diet of all shark species, earning them the nickname the "garbage cans of the ocean".
They will chow down on molluscs, stingrays, sea snakes, seals, squids and whales. They gobble up seabirds and land animals. Mole-rats, antelopes, dogs, goats and cats have turned up in their stomachs. One poor shark regurgitated one of Australia's spikiest inhabitants, an echidna. Perhaps its spines were too tickly.
Human rubbish is also on the menu: crisp packets, condoms, cigarettes, licence plates, tyres, TVs – even, reportedly, a full suit of armour.
