The majestic great white sharks have captured the imagination of humans for generations, simultaneously inspiring awe and fear. With their powerful bodies and impressive speed, great white sharks are one of the apex predators of the ocean. Today, we will dive into the lives of these magnificent creatures, exploring some facts about their habitat, diet, and more!
Anatomy of great white sharks
As its name indicates, this species of shark is one of the biggest in the ocean. Most of them reach around 4m long, females being slightly bigger and up to 4,5m. The biggest species ever found was close to 6 meters!
Current studies show that they can live up to 70 years, making them one of the longest-lived sharks. The species as we know it today has been around for millions of years.
Their appearance, made popular (or terrifying thanks to “Jaws”) by movies and media, is very distinctive: they have a wide snout with an impressive jaw. Their underside is usually clearer, hence their name.
They can dive below 1000m deep and can reach a speed of over 25km/h for a short amount of time. This allows them to breach the water at speed when hunting towards the surface.
Great White Sharks Feeding Habits
When it comes to food, the great white shark is on top of the ocean food chain. These formidable hunters possess an impressive menu, ranging from seals and sea lions to smaller sharks, dolphins and whales, fish, and even seabirds. Another known treat to great white sharks are whale carcasses, which can provide meals for days when found. Thanks to their acute senses, including sharp hearing and the ability to detect electromagnetic fields, they can locate prey from afar. Their secret weapon, however, lies in the element of surprise. Thanks to their incredible bursts of speed, great white sharks launch themselves out of the depths, breaching the surface to catch their surprised prey.
Their only known predators in the oceans are orcas.
Reproduction of great white sharks
These sharks do not reach sexual maturity until around 30 years old, which means they have a slow reproductive cycle as a species. Great white sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning that the females produce eggs that develop and hatch internally. After around 11 months’ gestation, the female gives birth to live young sharks (known as pups). It is estimated that a female great white shark can carry between 2 to 14 pups, each measuring around 1.3 m in length. Like a lot of shark species, the pups are independent from the moment they are born, equipped with all the instincts necessary to survive in the ocean environment.
Habitats of great white sharks
Great white sharks are great travelers, found in both coastal and open ocean waters. They prefer cooler temperatures, which is why they are commonly spotted in regions all over the globe such as California, South Africa, and Australia. These locations provide good food sources for great white sharks like seals, which attract them in significant numbers. These are some of the most popular destinations where they can be encountered but they are found over most regions of the world except the poles and colder areas.
Conservation status
The conservation status of great white sharks is concerning. They face numerous threats, including overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. The demand for their fins in the shark fin trade poses a significant threat to their survival.
Many countries have implemented strict regulations and fishing bans to safeguard their populations. Additionally, education about the importance of these apex predators plays a crucial role in their conservation. By understanding their ecological role and the need for balanced marine ecosystems, everyone can contribute to the preservation of great white sharks. These predators play a key role in the balance of all ocean ecosystems.
Unfortunately, as the great white sharks suffer from a bad reputation and bad press, the stakes of their protection can be a more difficult message to spread.
Great white sharks, with their powerful presence and unparalleled hunting skills, are truly one of the most impressive species in the oceans. And while they might not have the best reputation, they are in fact key to the ocean's ecosystem.
However, like many other shark species, they are threatened by overfishing, bycatch and habitat loss. It is crucial to protect the current populations of great white sharks.
Interested in sharks? Check out our other shark blogs about hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks or whale sharks.
