{"id":943310,"date":"2026-07-18T12:28:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T12:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/943310\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T12:28:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T12:28:27","slug":"tiger-shark-spotted-off-cape-cod-eating-a-turtle-were-likely-to-see-more-warm-water-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/943310\/","title":{"rendered":"Tiger shark spotted off Cape Cod eating a turtle: ‘We’re likely to see more warm water species’"},"content":{"rendered":"

The garbage-eating sharks that will devour almost anything are back.<\/p>\n

The first tiger shark sighting of the season<\/a> happened off Mashpee\u2019s Popponesset this week, as an estimated 10-foot apex predator was spotted feeding on a leatherback turtle.<\/p>\n

The tiger shark was seen about three miles off the Popponesset Bay entrance \u2014 which is the same spot where a fisherman caught and released a tiger shark<\/a> this time last year.<\/p>\n

The warm-water sharks have been making their way north in recent years.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs water temperatures continue to rise we\u2019re likely to see more warm water species showing up,\u201d shark researcher John Chisholm posted. \u201cIf you have a sighting, please remember to report it so we can document these species.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brad Crosby reported the tiger shark sighting, noting that it looked like the turtle was struck by a boat as its shell was cracked.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeen dead for some time as it was pretty stinky!\u201d Crosby added.<\/p>\n

Researchers in recent years have predicted that tiger sharks would be popping up near the Cape due to warming waters.<\/p>\n

While waters off the Northeast have historically been too cold for tiger sharks, temps have warmed significantly in recent years and are now suitable for tiger sharks.<\/p>\n

Shark scientists have warned that tiger sharks moving north could lead to more interactions between sharks and humans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tiger shark is a formidable predator and second only to the white shark in terms of the number of reported attacks on humans,\u201d the Florida Museum of Natural History wrote on its website. \u201cTiger sharks are often curious and unaggressive when encountered, yet are one of the three species most commonly implicated in shark attacks and fatalities and should be treated with extreme caution and a great deal of respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tiger sharks are known to eat most marine animals, sea birds, the occasional terrestrial animal and even garbage encountered floating at sea.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite being a large slow-moving shark, it is a highly effective ambush predator that deploys short bursts of speed to secure its prey,\u201d the Florida Museum of Natural History added.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile this week off the Cape, multiple shark alerts were issued for great white sharks close to shore. That included sharks seen off Chatham\u2019s North Beach Island, Eastham\u2019s Coast Guard Beach, and Wellfleet\u2019s Newcomb Hollow Beach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are multiple White Shark sightings already this morning,\u201d Chisholm posted on Thursday. \u201cThe team is on the Water actively looking for sharks so it\u2019s shaping up to be a busy day. Be sure to download the #Sharktivity app if you haven\u2019t already so you can stay up-to-date on sightings and alerts.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy\u2019s Sharktivity app<\/a> helps raise awareness of the presence of white sharks off the coast. The app sightings are fed by researchers, safety officials, and users who upload photos for confirmation.<\/p>\n

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