OCCURRENCE OF TIGER SHARK ( GALEOCERDO CUVIER ) SCAVENGING ON AVIAN PREY AND ITS POSSIBLE CONNECTION TO LARGE-SCALE BIRD DIE-OFFS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

The tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, is the largest predatory fish in tropical waters. Due to its wide-ranging movements, diverse diet and perceived potential threat to humans, the feeding behavior of this species has received significant attention in the scientific literature for over 40 years. Such studies have identified various prey items and feeding strategies for tiger sharks worldwide, and new insights into the life-history (i.e. movement, diet, reproduction) of this currently threatened predator are useful in conservation and management initiatives. Here we describe observations of tiger shark scavenging on a terrestrial avian species off the Florida Keys and its potential connection to several large-scale bird die-offs within the region.

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