The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias), also known as the 'white shark' or 'white pointer', is a powerful swimmer and efficient predator that inhabits temperate and subtropical regions of the world's oceans. Adult white sharks reach lengths of 6m-8m (20ft-26ft) and can weigh 2 tons (2 tonnes) or more. Females are in general, larger than males.
The white shark is usually a solitary hunter, feeding primarily on seals, dophins, large fish, and sea lions. White sharks occasionally attack humans and as a result have earned the infamous reputation of 'man-eaters'. White sharks are not believed to attack humans due to hunger but instead are thought to attack out of aggression, territoriality, or by mistake (since a person on a surfboard may resemble a seal).
- Mass: up to 2,250 kg
- Body Length: 6 m
- Diet: seals, dophins, large fish, and sea lions
- Predators: humans
- Lifespan: estimated to be 30-100 years
Classification:
Range and Habitat:
Wide geographic distribution. Found throughout temperate and subtropical oceans. Occurs in Indian ocean, Pacific ocean, and Atlantic ocean, as well as waters surrounding oceanic islands. Great white sharks inhabit coastal and offshore waters along continental shelves. They prefer waters with sea surface temperatures in the range of 12C-24C (53F-75F). Great white sharks sometimes enter shallow shore waters, bays, or harbors. They may also inhabit areas around isolated oceanic islands. Great white sharks occur in surface waters up to a depth of 1280m.
References:
- Burnie D, Wilson DE. 2001. Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 p.
- Fehlig R. 1999. Carcharodon carcharias, Animal Diversity Web. July 04, 2005.
