“Tooth and claw” as the saying goes. Predators fight their prey for food, and the prey fights back to ensure it stays off the menu. There is no governing body to say when it is a fair fight; it is often just a question of survival, survival of the fittest.

The top predators of the planet have evolved to be efficient at killing their prey in their natural habitat. Sharks are undoubtedly regarded as the top predators of the sea, but on land it could be said that tigers are the top predator.

 In either of their environments they would undoubtedly best  one of us in a one to one encounter with no weapons except what you were born with(unless you happened to be Bear Grylls), but what I am interested in is the question:

Who would win out of a fight between a Bengal tiger and a Great White Shark?

 It is a question that poses much initial thought for myself; what are the techniques used by each creature? How fast can each kill?  Would both of the beasts actually fight? There are a lot of factors to consider in such a battle. But the most important factor in determining the outcome of the fight would be location.

Would it be possible to have the fight in a location which offers equal advantage to each combatant? Both creatures live in entirely opposite environments, one in water and one on land, and each has evolved to be amongst the top predator in their environment.

Is it possible for us to combine the two environments somehow to provide a equal ground for them to meet upon? Or would it be more scientifically correct to carry out two fights, one in each environment say best of two fights in order to gain an average? First species to two wins is the victor.  But would this be entirely fair? As the main problem would be breathing; the shark would die on land and the tiger would die if completely submerged. What if we were to fabricate some kind of breathing apparatus to balance out the environmental effect, a tiger in scuba gear in the sea and a shark with a breathing apparatus on land? How about a swamp for the battle ground? It is possible that the tiger may be more accustomed to the swamp but as long as the water is deep enough then the shark should have its full ability.

 I have witnessed both creatures in the wild and would like to think the shark would win due to my own preference but it would need the space in order to do so (as well as a vast amount of water). The sharks true strength is in its quick stealthy attacks from beneath its prey, coming up unseen and taking the prey in one powerful bite.

The tiger also uses stealth to catch its prey, but often utilizes a team of other tigers to be more successful. In this case should we further equal the battle by allowing teams of either beast to participate? Now this becomes a further problem.

The possible outcome of this battle is a tough question to devise an answer for, as there are so many factors involved. This is going to require much further study.