Sharks are considered large marine predators. In fact, in many cases they are apex species of food webs, since they have practically no natural predators. The great white shark, whose scientific name is Carcharodon carcharias, is part of this group. With its large size and voracity, it is a species that is particularly feared by people.
This is a cartilaginous fish, of the order Lamniforme and family Lamnidae, that has some unique habits that are not present in other sharks. Similarly, it is highly perceptive, capable of detecting its prey at great distances. However, this shark is currently affected by human intervention, an aspect that unfortunately is repeated in the population decline of animal biodiversity. If you want to know more information on the great white shark, its curiosities and current state of conservation, keep reading this page on our site!
Great White Shark Features
One of the most frequent doubts that arise when looking for information on this spectacular animal is: "how big is the great white shark?". The white shark is a large fish, with a robust and fusiform body, which makes it aerodynamic and allows it to reach great speeds. The females are larger than the males, so that they reach measuring about 6 m, while the males about 4 m. However, it should be noted that there are reports of larger individuals. In general, they weigh more than a ton.
In addition to its impressive size, another of the most significant characteristics of the great white shark is the color of its skin. It is white on the ventral area, while the dorsal is gray, although this tone varies from one individual to another. It has two large pectoral fins, in addition to two small ones near the caudal area, an area in which there is also another well-developed fin. Likewise, it has a large fin on the back and two small fins near the tail.
The great white shark's mouth is befitting its size and ferocity. In this form, it is large, reaching up to 1 m in width, with a powerful jaw that can open widely. In the mouth there are two main rows of teeth, behind which there are two or three more rows that will replace the teeth that are frequently lost.
Great white sharks have several very well-developed senses, they can perceive vibrations, electric fields and even smell a drop of blood from kilometers away and, as if that were not enough, they have good vision.
Discover all the existing types of sharks in this other article.
Where do great white sharks live? - Habitat
The great white shark is a cosmopolitan species, with a wide global distribution, such that it is present in practically all tropical marine waters and cold temperate in the three great oceans: Atlantic, Pacific and Indian. Some of the coastlines where it is possible to locate it are:
- California
- Alaska
- United States East Coast
- Gulf of Mexico
- Hawaii
- South America
- South Africa
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Mediterranean Sea
- West Africa
- Japan
- China
The habitat of the white shark is found near coastal areas, but also offshore, that is, in the open sea. Thus, it is a mainly pelagic species. It has a preference for temperate waters and can live both near the surface and at depths of about 1,200 m.
Great White Shark Customs
It is a species generally solitary, however, there are reports that they can go in pairs or small groups, so they estimates in these cases the establishment of hierarchical relationships based mainly on the size of the individuals. It has both diurnal and nocturnal habits and shows a high migratory behavior
The great white shark usually hunts at dawn or dusk, when the sun's rays are weak and it can camouflage itself, since it tends to ambush prey from below and, due to the dark coloration on its back, it does not It is easily seen from the surface. It has the habit of swimming quite fast and strong when hunting, so when capturing its food, it manages to propel itself out of the water and then dive back in. On the other hand, it is a curious animal, even eventually sticking its head out of the water to inspect the surface.
Discover all the details of the hunting methods in this other article: "How do sharks hunt?".
Great White Shark Feeding
Great white sharks are carnivorous animals, however, they do not eat the same thing at all stages of their life. These sharks when they are young have a different diet than adults. The first years of life they feed on other smaller sharks, shrimp and manta rays, but as they grow their diet expands considerably. In this sense, adult white sharks prefer to eat seals, sea lions and elephant seals, penguins, some whales, dolphins, birds and turtles. In some cases, the white shark can be a scavenger, feeding on dead whales in its path.
These sharks are quite agile when hunting and tend to camouflage easily, since they are difficult to distinguish from above or below due to their opposite colors, especially at certain times of the day. They stalk their prey and catch them by surprise, in addition to using their powerful jaws and teeth to capture the victim, who hardly manages to save himself.
Contrary to popular belief, Great white sharks have no preference for feeding on humans, in fact, it is even believed that the meat of people does not find it palatable, since it requires prey with a high fat content. In this sense, white shark attacks on people are unfortunate events that rather have to do with the unforeseen approach between a person and the shark, so that the latter most likely feels threatened.
Great White Shark Reproduction
Studies are lacking to accurately confirm some aspects of white shark reproduction. They have internal fertilization like other sharks and it is speculated that the male may bite the female during mating; it is also estimated that confrontations occur between males to copulate with the female. All these data are known from the various scars that have normally been found in these animals, which in the case of females is usually recurrent on the back, as well as on the pectoral fins.
It is estimated that pregnancy lasts about 12 months, gestating from 2 to 10 offspring, which develop ovoviviparouslyIn this sense, they remain inside the mother until the moment of birth, when they are expelled fully developed and capable of being independent. The young while they are in the womb feed on their own egg, but when they hatch they can also eat their less developed siblings and even those that have not yet hatched.
How long does a great white shark live?
During recent years it has been discovered that the great white shark is one of the longest living. The average life expectancy of the great white shark is about 70 years, which is why its sexual maturity comes rather late. Thus, males become sexually mature at 10 years of age, while females do so between approximately 14 and 15 years of age.
Great White Shark Conservation Status
Is the great white shark in danger of extinction? The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has declared the great white shark as vulnerable, with a declining population trend. The main cause that affects this animal is accidental capture in large fishing nets, causing its death.
On the other hand, the catch of this shark has become widespread for its fins and jaws, which are used in a terrible way as decorations or trophies. It is also common for their meat to be consumed in the international market, which causes these animals to be captured to amputate their fins and returned to their habitat, guaranteeing them a death full of suffering.
Despite the existence of several international treaties for the protection of the species, many of them have failed and have not had the expected beneficial effect to prevent white shark populations from continuing to decline, which which undoubtedly puts the near future of the species at significant risk.
