Great White Shark Facts - Where to See Great White Shark at Zoos | Zoo Adventures

Quick Facts About Great White Shark

Scientific Name	Carcharodon carcharias
Average Weight	1100.00 kg
Lifespan	70 years
Habitat	Coastal Waters
Diet	Carnivore
Conservation Status	Vulnerable (IUCN)

Overview

The great white shark is one of the most iconic and formidable predators in the ocean. Known for its powerful build and sharp teeth, this apex predator can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weigh over 1,100 kilograms (2,425 pounds). Its body is streamlined for efficient swimming, with a conical snout and large, triangular dorsal fin that often protrudes above the water's surface. The great white shark's coloration is a distinctive gray on top and white underneath, providing camouflage from both prey and predators. These sharks are known for their acute senses, particularly their ability to detect electrical fields produced by other animals, which aids in hunting. Great white sharks are solitary creatures, though they may be seen in groups when feeding on large prey. They are known for their breaching behavior, where they leap out of the water to catch seals and other marine mammals. Despite their fearsome reputation, great white sharks are crucial for maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by controlling the populations of other marine species.

Range & Habitat

Habitat: Coastal Waters

Conservation & Threats

Status: Vulnerable

Fun Facts

Great white sharks can detect a single drop of blood in 25 gallons of water, making them incredible hunters!

These sharks can leap out of the water, a behavior known as 'breaching,' to catch fast-moving prey like seals.

Great whites have a special organ called the 'ampullae of Lorenzini' that allows them to sense the electric fields of other animals.

Despite their fierce reputation, great white sharks are curious creatures and often investigate unfamiliar objects with gentle nudges.

They can swim at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, making them one of the fastest shark species in the ocean.

Great white sharks can go weeks without eating after a big meal, thanks to their slow metabolism.

These sharks have a unique way of keeping warm in cold waters: they use a special network of blood vessels to retain heat, unlike most other fish.

Test Your Knowledge

See how much you know about Great White Shark!

What is the primary diet of the great white shark?

Plankton

Seals and sea lions

Seaweed

Coral

Which of the following is a major threat to the conservation of great white sharks?

Overfishing

Climate change

Habitat destruction

All of the above

In which type of habitat are great white sharks most commonly found?

Freshwater lakes

Coral reefs

Open ocean and coastal waters

Deep-sea trenches

Activities

Related Species

Great White Shark

Quick Facts About Great White Shark

Overview

Range & Habitat

Conservation & Threats

Fun Facts

Test Your Knowledge

What is the primary diet of the great white shark?

Which of the following is a major threat to the conservation of great white sharks?

In which type of habitat are great white sharks most commonly found?

Activities

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