White Death - The Great White
Charcharodon carcharias
The largest predatory shark in the ocean is the Great White Shark. Other large sharks, like whale sharks and basking sharks, feed on small planktonic creatures. The Great White Shark, however, feeds on large mammals, fish, whales, and occasionally, they accidentally bite humans. So why are these sharks so feared?
How large are Great White Sharks?
When they are born (often with a dozen other siblings), they are about 1.5 meters (five feet) long. They slowly grow to become the top of the food chain. A typical Great White Shark is about four to five meters (16 feet) long and has a mass of 680 to 1,000 kilograms (2200 pounds).
The maximum size that a Great White Shark can reach is debated. The largest shark that has been reliably measured was 6.4 meters (21 feet). It was caught in Cuban waters in 1945. Possibly the second largest shark was reported by a Canadian Shark Research Center. A shark measuring 6.1 meters (20 feet) was caught by an Albertan named David McKendrick.
What do Great White Sharks eat?
Great Whites are carnivorous apex predators. Their diet consists of fish (like tuna, other sharks, and rays), dolphins, porpoises, seals, seal lions, whale carcasses, and sometimes sea turtles, sea otters, and penguins. Humans are not on the menu for Great White Sharks, but they are often seriously bitten. There are very few incidents of a Great White doing much more than biting and leaving the scene.
Great White Shark Links
The best source of information on Great Whites are from the scientists doing the research. We recommend the following:
Related Topics
The largest predatory shark in the ocean is the Great White Shark. Other large sharks, like whale sharks and basking sharks, feed on small planktonic creatures. The Great White Shark, however, feeds on large mammals, fish, whales, and occasionally, they accidentally bite humans. So why are these sharks so feared?
How large are Great White Sharks?
When they are born (often with a dozen other siblings), they are about 1.5 meters (five feet) long. They slowly grow to become the top of the food chain. A typical Great White Shark is about four to five meters (16 feet) long and has a mass of 680 to 1,000 kilograms (2200 pounds).
The maximum size that a Great White Shark can reach is debated. The largest shark that has been reliably measured was 6.4 meters (21 feet). It was caught in Cuban waters in 1945. Possibly the second largest shark was reported by a Canadian Shark Research Center. A shark measuring 6.1 meters (20 feet) was caught by an Albertan named David McKendrick.
What do Great White Sharks eat?
Great Whites are carnivorous apex predators. Their diet consists of fish (like tuna, other sharks, and rays), dolphins, porpoises, seals, seal lions, whale carcasses, and sometimes sea turtles, sea otters, and penguins. Humans are not on the menu for Great White Sharks, but they are often seriously bitten. There are very few incidents of a Great White doing much more than biting and leaving the scene.
Great White Shark Links
The best source of information on Great Whites are from the scientists doing the research. We recommend the following:
Classification
Species Range
