Quck answer
Great white sharks are one of the most fascinating and feared creatures in the ocean. These apex predators can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh over 5,000 pounds. They are found in all of the world’s oceans and are known for their powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Great white sharks are highly skilled hunters and can detect prey from over a mile away using their keen sense of smell and electroreception. They are also able to swim at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. Despite their fearsome reputation, great white sharks are actually quite important to the ocean ecosystem and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of marine life.
Wild Animals
Attacks by Great White Sharks
Let’s hope you don’t come across one of these.
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Great white sharks are notorious for their involvement in some of the most terrifying attacks on humans. Shirley Ann Durdin from Australia was torn in half and devoured by a white shark in 1985. In 1963, Rodney Fox had his lungs and stomach ripped open and needed over 360 stitches after an attack [source: Rodney Fox]. In California in 2008, Dave Martin lost his life when a great white shark bit off his legs.
The number of unprovoked attacks by great whites is higher than any other shark species. As of May 2020, there have been 326 attacks by great whites, resulting in 52 fatalities. This is significantly more than the tiger shark, which is in second place with 129 attacks and 34 deaths, and the bull shark, which is in third place with 116 attacks and 25 deaths [source: International Shark Attack File].
Why are the numbers so high? One reason is that great whites are easily identifiable, especially if they leave a tooth or two in their victims. This means that more attacks are attributed to them than to other less recognizable species [source: Carey]. Also, there may be a belief that great white sharks are guilty until proven innocent in a shark attack. Although this bias may not be fair, scientists remind us that the chances of being attacked by a shark are very low.
Are humans particularly appealing to great white sharks? Scientists who have studied the stomach contents of these sharks say no. Humans are not a good meal for great whites because they have more muscle and less fatty blubber. Many shark attack survivors live to tell their stories because the shark takes a bite, almost as if it is tasting them. While this may not be comforting to those who have been attacked, it could simply be a case of mistaken identity. For example, a person lying on a surfboard with their arms and legs out to the side may look like a seal from below.
Although great white sharks are dangerous, it is worth noting that elephants are more lethal than they are [source: Carey]. In fact, humans pose a greater threat to sharks than sharks do to humans. These sharks are hunted for sport and for their parts, such as their fins and teeth.
But what do great white sharks prey on if not humans? Find out in the next section.
Could a Great White Shark Have Swallowed Jonah?
Carolus Linnaeus, in his work “Systema Naturae,” made a note in 1758 about the great white shark. He suggested that Jonah, a biblical character who was swallowed by a great fish and then regurgitated, could have been in the belly of a great white for three days [source: Lineaweaver]. While different versions of the Bible have translated “great fish” as “whale,” scholars have used scientific evidence to link Jonah and the great white for centuries. In the 16th century, Guillame Rondelet speculated that the great white could have swallowed a man and then brought him back up [source: Harrison]. The great white shark was present in the Mediterranean Sea and has existed for over 11 million years, making it a possible candidate for the biblical predator [source: Monterey Bay Aquarium].
FAQ
1. What are some interesting facts about Great White Sharks?
Great White Sharks are one of the largest predatory fish in the ocean, with an average length of 15 feet and weight of 5,000 pounds. They have a reputation as man-eaters, but actually only a handful of attacks on humans occur each year. Great Whites are known for their powerful jaws and sharp teeth, which can grow up to 2.5 inches long. They are also capable of swimming at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, and can jump out of the water up to 10 feet high.
2. How do Great White Sharks hunt their prey?
Great White Sharks use their incredible sense of smell to locate prey, which can be up to a mile away. They are also able to detect electrical signals given off by their prey, such as the heartbeat of a wounded fish. Once they have located their prey, Great Whites will swim stealthily and then launch a surprise attack, using their powerful jaws to bite and incapacitate their prey. They will often wait for their prey to bleed out before consuming it.
3. Where do Great White Sharks live?
Great White Sharks can be found in oceans all around the world, but are most commonly found in coastal waters with temperatures ranging from 54-75 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer areas with high concentrations of seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals, which make up a large part of their diet. Great Whites have been known to travel long distances, with some individuals migrating up to 7,000 miles in a single year.
4. How are Great White Sharks threatened?
Great White Sharks are threatened by a number of factors, including overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss. They are often caught in fishing nets or hunted for their fins, which are considered a delicacy in some cultures. Climate change is also affecting their habitat, with rising sea temperatures causing changes in the distribution and abundance of their prey. Great White Sharks are currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
5. What is being done to protect Great White Sharks?
Efforts are being made around the world to protect Great White Sharks and their habitats. In some areas, fishing restrictions have been put in place to reduce accidental catch and overfishing. Marine protected areas have also been established to safeguard critical habitats for Great Whites and other marine species. Scientists are also studying Great Whites to better understand their behavior and movements, which can help inform conservation efforts. Education and outreach programs are also being implemented to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these magnificent creatures.
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