Tiger sharks are primarily known for inhabiting coastal waters and are usually found in saltwater environments. However, they have the surprising ability to tolerate some levels of freshwater. While they typically do not live permanently in freshwater, they can occasionally venture into estuaries and river mouths where saltwater mixes with freshwater.
The reason tiger sharks can handle low salinity levels lies in their unique physiological adaptations. Their bodies are capable of osmoregulation, which allows them to maintain the proper balance of salts and water in their system. This adaptation means that they can survive in waters that are not purely saline, but their preference and natural habitat remains in the ocean.
It’s important to note that while individual tiger sharks may be spotted in freshwater, such occurrences are rare and usually only temporary. They are not adapted to thrive or reproduce in freshwater environments, so they mainly stick to the ocean for more stable living conditions.