| Great White Shark | Tiger Shark |
|---|---|
|
|
| Wins 91.80% of 1k fights | Wins 8.20% of 1k fights |
In this week's edition of Fantasy Brawls, we have two of the only known man-eating sharks in the arena: the legendary Great White Shark and the trash compactor of the sea, the Tiger Shark. Both of these beasts are big, have monstrous jaws, and the ability to annihilate nearly anything in their paths. But what would happen if these two met face-to-face in the ocean? Let's find out by first figuring out which of these two fish has the advantage in size.
A fully grown tiger shark can reach lengths between 10–14 feet and weigh up to 1,400 pounds, with the largest of the species hitting a massive 18 feet in length. This is an impressive size, but compared to the Great White, it's a Bubble Guppy. Great White Sharks are normally 13–16 feet, and the largest of the species gets well over 20 feet.
These fish generally weigh up to 2,400 pounds, with some weighing as much as 5,000 pounds! Without a doubt, the bigger of the two species is the Great White. And given the difference in size, we can safely deduce that Great White Sharks are stronger than Tiger Sharks. But, as we've seen in other battles on this site, size isn't everything. Sometimes, speed and agility decide the outcome of a battle. So, which of these two murderous fish is faster?
Given how much bulkier the Great White is than the Tiger, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's faster, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Tigers can hit speeds of 20 mph, which is respectable, but the Great White regularly tops out at 35 mph.
The reason for the difference in speed comes down to the diets of the two animals. Tiger Sharks are big and fast enough to hunt but often scavenge, earning them the nickname "garbage cans of the sea." These creatures have been known to eat everything from dead animals to license plates.
As a result, God saw fit to put fewer stat points into their speed since license plates and cans don't move very fast. Great Whites, on the other hand, live the fast life. They hunt the ocean's most agile creatures, like dolphins and seals, so they need to be able to move super fast to ambush their meals. The winner in the speed department is the Great White.
Given the almost comical size difference, a Great White Shark would easily kill and devour a Tiger Shark. So, let's shrink the Great White down a bit and make it the same size as the Tiger Shark.
For this fight, both fish will be 18 feet from tail tip to snout and weigh 2,000 pounds. This way, no animal has a clear size advantage, but all their weapons will remain the same. Here's a breakdown of the two and what they are bringing to the battlefield.
| Strength | Tiger Shark | Great White Shark |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Superior: Thick skin and resilience allow it to withstand more punishment. | Strong, but not as durable as the Tiger Shark. |
| Bite Force | Moderate: Effective for crushing hard objects like turtle shells. | Superior: Among the strongest of any shark, capable of slicing through flesh and bone. |
| Speed | Steady: Cruises efficiently but lacks explosive speed. | Fast: Can reach speeds up to 35 mph in short bursts. |
| Hunting Strategy | Opportunistic: Relies on stealth and ambush tactics. | Strategic: Ambush predator with excellent vision and electroreception. |
| Aggression | Calm: Typically less aggressive unless provoked. | Highly Aggressive: Known for its dominance and boldness. |
So, with their strengths summarized, which of these two are coming out on top if they are the same size? Well, a quick examination of their strengths will quickly tell you who wins in a fight. The Tiger typically cruises along, which likely helps it conserve energy and increases its longevity.
Similar to how keeping your vehicle on cruise control helps you burn less gas. They are also opportunistic and will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. By nature, they do not pick fights and typically only attack if provoked. These are great traits for a survivor but not a brawler.
Great Whites, simply put, have no chill when it comes to hunting and defending territory. They dominate their watery domains without fear and are known to engage in strategic behavior when hunting prey. One of the greatest displays of athleticism I've ever seen is when Great Whites propel their entire bodies out of the water to blast seals from deep below the surface.
They also have triangular serrated teeth, which are perfect for inflicting quick death on opponents and tearing large chunks of flesh. Tiger Sharks have tough teeth too, but they are more suited for crushing and slicing through hard substances like turtle shells and clams. So, even if these two animals are the same size, the more muscular, strategic, and aggressive Great White Shark will swim away with the W.
The Great White won this bout with relative ease. Tiger Sharks are tough, but they are simply not built for combat in the way Great Whites are. Tigers are definitely more hardy and, with their versatile diet, are more likely to survive harsh conditions like food scarcity than White Sharks. However, when it comes to a one-on-one bout, Tiger Sharks are nothing more than a striped dinner.
If you love sea life and are a fan of hypothetical matchups like these, be sure to check out our other marine battle. Click here to watch the Great White take on an Orca. And, as always, if you have any ideas for content or want to subscribe to be the first to know about awesome new battles, please consider subscribing using the form below.
Posted by: Matt Irving on 12/15/2024
