1. Lateral Line System:
* This is a series of sensory pores running along the sides of their body.
* It detects vibrations and pressure changes in the water, allowing them to sense the movement of prey or other objects.
2. Inner Ear:
* The inner ear is responsible for hearing sound waves.
* Sharks have a special structure called the "sacculus" that is extremely sensitive to low-frequency sounds, which travel well through water.
3. Sound Transmission:
* Sound waves in the water travel through the shark's body, reaching the inner ear via the jawbone.
* This allows the shark to "hear" sounds from a considerable distance, even in murky or dark waters.
4. Sensitivity to Low Frequencies:
* Tiger sharks are particularly sensitive to low-frequency sounds, which are typical of large, slow-moving prey like fish or seals.
* This helps them locate potential food sources from far away.
5. Directional Hearing:
* While their hearing isn't as precise as ours, they can determine the general direction of a sound source.
* This helps them navigate towards prey and avoid predators.
Interesting Facts:
* Tiger sharks have been known to hear prey from hundreds of meters away!
* They can even detect the subtle sounds of a fish's heartbeat or its swimming movements.
* Their sensitive hearing allows them to be successful predators in diverse habitats like coral reefs, lagoons, and open oceans.
In conclusion: Tiger sharks are equipped with a sophisticated hearing system that relies on the lateral line, inner ear, and jawbone transmission. This enables them to detect low-frequency sounds from afar, locate prey, and navigate their environment effectively.