1. Size and Strength: Great white sharks can grow larger than tiger sharks, with an average length of 15-18 feet and a maximum length of over 20 feet. Their massive size and powerful jaws give them the ability to take down larger prey, including seals, sea lions, and even other sharks.
2. Hunting Behavior: Great white sharks are ambush predators that typically hunt by waiting for their prey before launching a sudden and powerful attack. They have been known to breach the water to catch prey on the surface. In contrast, tiger sharks are more opportunistic feeders, scavenging on a wide variety of food sources and less likely to actively hunt humans.
3. Geographic Range: Great white sharks are found in coastal waters of the world, but they are more common in certain regions, such as the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California and the South African coast. Tiger sharks, on the other hand, have a wider distribution and are found in warmer waters in all oceans.
4. Human Encounters: While both great white sharks and tiger sharks have been known to attack humans, great white sharks are responsible for more fatal attacks on humans. According to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File, great white sharks have been responsible for 333 attacks on humans, with 80 fatalities, while tiger sharks have been responsible for 111 attacks and 29 fatalities.
However, it is important to note that both great white sharks and tiger sharks are wild animals and should be respected. Human encounters with either shark species should be avoided whenever possible, and precautions should be taken when swimming in areas where these sharks are known to be present.