Scientists document sophisticated social interactions and dominance hierarchies among female tiger sharks at world's largest aggregation site
First study reveals tiger sharks display seven distinct social behaviours, including two never before seen, challenging assumptions about these apex predators.
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Summary
The 18-month investigation challenges long-held beliefs about tiger sharks being purely solitary creatures, showing they form complex social structures when conditions allow
Researchers observed 36 social interactions between 40 mature female tiger sharks at Fuvahmulah Island, including two newly discovered behaviours called "submission" and "push away"
Study reveals size-based dominance hierarchy where larger sharks establish priority access to food sources through sophisticated social signals rather than direct confrontation
Scientists have documented complex social interactions among female tiger sharks for the first time, revealing that these apex predators are far more socially sophisticated than previously understood.
An 18-month study conducted at Fuvahmulah Island in the Maldives observed 36 distinct social interactions between pairs of mature female tiger sharks, challenging the long-held assumption that these formidable predators are purely solitary creatures.
The research, published online on 24 May 2025 in Behavioural Processes and led by Francesca Romana Reinero from Italy's Sharks Studies Center-Scientific Institute, represents the first comprehensive documentation of social behavioural patterns in tiger sharks. The study took place at what scientists describe as the world's largest known tiger shark aggregation site.
Seven distinct social behaviours identified
The international research team identified seven distinct social behaviors, including two never before documented in tiger sharks.
The newly discovered behaviors, termed "submission" and "push away," demonstrate a level of social complexity that surprised researchers. Submission involves "sudden and abrupt deviation of the trajectory of one shark literally escaping at the approach of another, rolling sideways showing partially or completely its underside, away from the prey."
Push away occurs when there is a "converging path of two sharks towards the prey, with the dominant individual voluntarily nudging the subordinate aside with a bump."
"These findings deepen our knowledge of tiger shark social behavior, highlighting data gaps in the Maldives and ensuring effective conservation measures for this species," the researchers wrote.
Size-based dominance hierarchy
The study revealed a sophisticated size-based dominance hierarchy among the mature female tiger sharks. Larger individuals establish priority access to food sources without resorting to direct physical confrontation.
The 40 female tiger sharks observed ranged from 311 to 430 centimeters in total length, averaging 376.7 centimeters. The research found that "mature older female sharks were significantly more dominant in social interactions than recently mature females."
Three mature sharks (F-140, F-009, and F-002) and one recently mature female (F-207) "were involved in significantly more social interactions" than others. These individuals displayed behavior suggesting "above-average dominance and aggression."
Challenging assumptions about solitary predators
Tiger sharks have long been considered solitary hunters, but this study suggests they can organize sophisticated social structures when ecological conditions favor group interactions.
"Tiger sharks are predominantly known as solitary animals, yet their opportunistic and generalist predatory nature can drive interactions with conspecifics, including artificial provisioning sites," the researchers noted.
The social behaviors observed included the newly documented submission and push away, plus five previously known interactions: give way, swim by, parallel swimming, follow give way, and stand back.
World's largest Tiger Shark aggregation
Fuvahmulah Island, located in the southern Maldives, hosts an unprecedented concentration of tiger sharks attracted to a provisioning site created for ecotourism. Fish waste from local tuna fisheries has accumulated at the harbor entrance since 2004, creating what is now a world-recognized dive site.
"Fuvahmulah hosts the world's largest known aggregation of tiger sharks within a geographically restricted site," according to the research. Of the 239 tiger sharks identified at the site, most (84.5%) are females, including both large juveniles and adults.
The researchers suggest this female-dominated aggregation "likely serves as a gestation ground for pregnant females," providing warm, shallow waters and abundant food sources.
Conservation implications
The discovery of complex social structures among tiger sharks has significant implications for conservation efforts. Understanding these behavioral patterns is crucial for developing effective protection strategies for this near-threatened species.
"A deeper knowledge of intra-specific behavioral interactions and variations in behavior among individuals observed repeatedly is crucial for understanding tiger shark population dynamics in Fuvahmulah and ensuring protection plans and conservation measures for this near-threatened species within this area," the researchers concluded.
The study represents a collaborative effort between institutions in Italy, Germany, and the Maldives, highlighting the international importance of protecting these marine ecosystems and the complex social structures they support.
This research changes our understanding of tiger shark behavior, revealing that even apex predators thought to be solitary can display sophisticated social organization when ecological conditions align. This finding could reshape conservation approaches for these magnificent but vulnerable marine giants.
