The Great White shark (Carcharodon carcharias), also known as the white shark, is a large mackerel shark found in coastal surface waters of all major oceans. It is the only surviving species of its genus and is known for its size, with females averaging 4.6 to 4.9 meters at maturity and the largest specimen measuring 5.83 meters in length. Great whites can live up to 70 years, with males reaching sexual maturity at about 26 years and females at 33 years. They can swim at speeds of 25 km/h and dive to depths of 1,200 meters.
As one of the largest macropredatory fish, great white sharks primarily prey on marine mammals like pinnipeds and dolphins, along with a variety of other animals. Their only known natural predator is the orca. Due to ecological challenges, they are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and are protected by various national governments.
Great white sharks are found in coastal and offshore waters with temperatures between 12 and 24 °C , especially in the U.S. (Northeast and California), South Africa, Japan, Oceania, Chile, and the Mediterranean. A dense population exists around Dyer Island, South Africa. Juvenile great whites prefer temperatures between 14 and 24 °C in shallow nurseries. Observations suggest climate change may be shifting their range toward the poles. Great whites are epipelagic and often found near prey like fur seals, sea lions, and large fish, with recorded depths of up to 1,200 meters, challenging the belief that they are strictly coastal species.
Great white sharks exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females typically larger than males. Males average 3.4 to 4.0 meters in length, while females measure 4.6 to 4.9 m (15 to 16 ft). Adults weigh between 522–771 kg, with mature females averaging 680–1,110 kg. The largest verified females reach up to 6.1 m and 1,905 kg, potentially as much as 2,268 kg. Only the whale shark, basking shark, and giant manta ray are larger, but they are docile filter-feeders. Great white sharks are the largest extant macropredatory fish and grow about 25 cm each year, measuring approximately 1.2 meters at birth.
Great white sharks eat a variety of food and are considered generalist carnivores. Their diet includes fish like tuna, rays, and other sharks; marine mammals such as dolphins, porpoises, and whales; pinnipeds like seals and sea lions; squid; sea turtles; sea otters; and seabirds. Sometimes, they even consume items that they cannot digest.
Young great white sharks mainly eat fish, including smaller sharks. They cannot hunt larger prey, like seals or dolphins, until they grow to about 3 meters long. At this size, their jaws become strong enough to handle bigger animals. Once they near 4 meters in length, they primarily hunt marine mammals, but each shark may prefer different types of prey based on their own habits.
