The Great White Shark

The white shark is also commonly known as the great white shark. It is a solitary predator that can grow up to 6.6 meters (21 feet) in length. Although this is the largest confirmed report of a white shark, indirect evidence suggests that there may be specimens off of southern Australia which are 8 meters (26 feet) in length.

The white shark is a robust, torpedo-shaped shark. The upper and lower lobes of the caudal fin are about even in size, and its serrated triangular teeth are virtually symmetrical. Despite its name the white shark is only white on its underside; the top of the shark is grey to black or blue.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Serrated triangular teeth
Lobes of caudal fin of about equal size
Caudal keel
Black spot may be present at axil of pectoral fin
Lunate tail

Diet

The white shark preys upon a variety of fishes and marine mammals. Fish such as salmon, hake, halibut, mackerel and tunas are common prey, as are marine mammals such as harbor porpoises and harbor seals. However whites also eat other sharks, sea turtles and seabirds. They may also feed upon blubber from dead whale carcasses. Examination of the stomach contents of one great white caught off Deer Island, New Brunswick revealed three porpoises within it.

Reproduction

This shark is ovoviviparous. Females give birth to 4 to 14 live pups and may only reproduce 4 to 6 litters in a lifetime. White sharks reach sexual maturity at 10 to 12 years of age.

Habitat

The white shark inhabits coastal and offshore waters of the continental shelf. Periodically it will wander into bays and harbours. This shark also inhabits waters around oceanic islands. The great white shark occurs in surface waters and down to a depth of 1280 meters (4,240 feet).

Range

The white shark has a worldwide range along the continental margins of all temperate seas and part of the tropics. In Atlantic Canadian waters it is rare, but has been caught off Deer Island in the Bay of Fundy and off Campobello Island, New Brunswick. A 5-meter (17') white was caught off of PEI in 1983. Based on the growth bands in the vertebra, this shark appears to have been about 16 years old.

Sharks
Whale Shark Basking Shark Great White Tiger Shark Thresher Shark Shortfin Mako Blue Shark Porbeagle Shark Sand Tiger Shark	Sharpnose Shark Oceanic Whitetip Dusky Shark Smooth Hammerhead Portuguese Rough Sagre Smooth Dogfish Spiny Dogfish Black Dogfish