Most people are afraid of the great white shark even though they are not usually prone to attack them. Shark specialists say that our meat is not appetizing at all. The proof of this is that sharks bite swimmers only once and do not repeat. That bite is to taste the meat that later they do not taste because they do not like it. It is thought that the shark has very heightened senses, although it confuses humans with other animals that are part of its diet such as seals.
In this article we are going to analyze the great white shark in depth. We will study their biology, distribution, food and way of life. Do you want to know everything about this world-famous animal?
Key features
Size and skin
Fortunately, for people who are attacked by this animal, it does not usually cost their life. When the shark bite becomes a difficult hemorrhage to stop, it is when it becomes very dangerous, to the point of causing death. In these cases, those around the victim must proceed quickly. The blood that spills into the water can become an attraction to other sharks.
And it is that the shark is considered a great predator of the seas. It is present in most of the world's oceans. They are often called "Great White Shark" because they do not stop growing throughout their lives. The older the animal is, the larger it will be in size. Females are larger than males. An adult can perfectly measure between 4 and 5 meters in length and weigh between 680 and 1100 kilos. These dimensions make it a danger to prey.
Their powerful teeth are wide and triangular and they use them to tear off their prey and eat meat. Thanks to them they can cling to them until they cut them. When teeth fall out or split, they are replaced by new ones, as they have two to three rows of continuously growing teeth.
Their skin is rough and is made up of sharp-shaped scales. These scales are called dermal denticles.
Nervous system and smell
As for the nervous system, they have it very acute, to the point of being able to perceive vibrations in the water several meters away. Thanks to this level of perception, they can guide themselves through the vibrations to the prey that originated them and hunt them down.
The sense of smell is also quite developed. As a good carnivore, it can sniff several drops of blood from miles away in the amount of water around it. When there is blood, the aggressiveness of the shark multiplies.
The fact that it is called a white shark is due to the fact that not so common specimens have been found, but they are albinos.
Range and habitat
This animal has a fairly wide distribution. They are capable of living in both cold and tropical waters. The developed metabolism allows them to stay warmer in the water, although they cannot withstand extreme temperatures.
The great white shark's habitat is in shallow waters and close to shores. This is where a large number of marine species are concentrated. Therefore, all these prey serve as food for the shark. Exceptionally, some sharks have been found at depths of 1875 meters.
Some areas and regions where this fish lives are: the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Florida and the eastern United States, Cuba, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, England and the Cape Verde Islands and the Canary Islands.
White shark diet
When this animal is younger, it mainly feeds on squid, rays and other smaller sharks. As they grow and become adults they are capable of devouring seals, dolphins, sea lions, elephant seals, turtles and even the carcasses of whales.
The technique he uses to hunt prey is about "stalking." It hides under the prey to swim vertically and surprise it without being able to react and defend itself. Due to the great bite of the white shark, the prey dies from blood loss or decapitation. Vital appendages such as fins can also be broken.
Reproduction
Male white sharks reach sexual maturity at approximately 10 years. Females, on the other hand, take between 12 and 18 years. This is the reason why the females are larger. Since their sexual maturity is later, they spend more time on body growth.
When they are in mating season they are very aggressive. The male begins to bite the female during copulation to the point of doing damage. The same goes for turtles (link). Therefore, it is common to see females with scars mainly on the fins. They reproduce in temperate waters in the spring-summer season.
This species is ovoviviparous, since the eggs, which are usually two to ten, remain in the uterus for 12 months until they finally hatch. Although it has not been well established, cases of intrauterine cannibalism can occur, since the weaker pups can serve as food for the larger ones.
When they are born they are more than a meter long and move away from the mother. In many cases, the mother devours her children. She does not act as a mother herself, since she neither protects nor goes after them. From birth they are totally independent.
Life expectancy is between 15 and 30 years.
The man and the white shark
This fish is very feared by the human being, since it has presented numerous attacks to people who practice surfing, diving, canoeing or swimming. Around 311 people have been attacked around the world.
Although a single person cannot fight a great white shark, sport fishing is declining their populations. Others hunt them arguing that they represent a danger to bathers, which affects tourism in certain countries.
And you, do you think that the white shark is a great threat to humans?