5 Fun Things to Know About the Great White Shark
1. They're harmless, mostly...
There are only about 100 shark attacks a year, and only one-third to one-half of those are actually great whites. So in fact great whites are only responsible for about 5 to 10 attacks a year. Additionally research shows that the sharks are only "sample biting" and then letting the humans go, which is why most of these attacks aren't fatal. So that means that despite being the largest predatory fish in the world, they don't usually eat humans.
2. They don't have to work very hard for their first meal.
The female develops several eggs in her womb after mating, and the baby sharks hatch inside her belly. Once they hatch they feed on unfertilized eggs in the womb while they grow and develop. And they need the food, by the time they're born (after about 12-22 months in the womb) they weigh 50 to 60 pounds.
3. Great whites aren't the largest shark.
Even though they're impressively large, growing to an average of 15 feet in length and weighing in around 5,000 pounds, the whale shark is actually the biggest shark in the world. The title for the largest predatory fish in the world goes to the great white because the whale shark isn't classified as predatory.
4. They are really sensitive to blood.
They can detect it from up to 3 miles away, and can also tell if there is one drop of blood in 25 gallons of water. This is one feature that makes them so deadly, however I wasn't lying earlier when I said they're mostly harmless, as they prefer to eat things like sea lions, seals, sea turtles, or carrion. Although they have been known to eat the occasional small toothed whale.
5. They are warm-blooded.
That is unusual since most other sharks are cold-blooded. This trait comes in handy, allowing them to adapt to different water temperatures.
I hope this post didn't freak you out too much, and as a bonus here are a few more facts and a scary picture.
Although their belly is white, their upper bodies are actually slate grey helping them blend in on the rocky coastal sea floor.
Originally scientist thought that great whites only lived to be about 25, but recently a study showed that their life expectancy is actually closer to 70 years.
Female great whites are larger than males, which isn't necessarily unique since most other sharks share that characteristic.
There are only about 100 shark attacks a year, and only one-third to one-half of those are actually great whites. So in fact great whites are only responsible for about 5 to 10 attacks a year. Additionally research shows that the sharks are only "sample biting" and then letting the humans go, which is why most of these attacks aren't fatal. So that means that despite being the largest predatory fish in the world, they don't usually eat humans.
2. They don't have to work very hard for their first meal.
The female develops several eggs in her womb after mating, and the baby sharks hatch inside her belly. Once they hatch they feed on unfertilized eggs in the womb while they grow and develop. And they need the food, by the time they're born (after about 12-22 months in the womb) they weigh 50 to 60 pounds.
3. Great whites aren't the largest shark.
Even though they're impressively large, growing to an average of 15 feet in length and weighing in around 5,000 pounds, the whale shark is actually the biggest shark in the world. The title for the largest predatory fish in the world goes to the great white because the whale shark isn't classified as predatory.
4. They are really sensitive to blood.
They can detect it from up to 3 miles away, and can also tell if there is one drop of blood in 25 gallons of water. This is one feature that makes them so deadly, however I wasn't lying earlier when I said they're mostly harmless, as they prefer to eat things like sea lions, seals, sea turtles, or carrion. Although they have been known to eat the occasional small toothed whale.
5. They are warm-blooded.
That is unusual since most other sharks are cold-blooded. This trait comes in handy, allowing them to adapt to different water temperatures.
I hope this post didn't freak you out too much, and as a bonus here are a few more facts and a scary picture.
Although their belly is white, their upper bodies are actually slate grey helping them blend in on the rocky coastal sea floor.
Originally scientist thought that great whites only lived to be about 25, but recently a study showed that their life expectancy is actually closer to 70 years.
Female great whites are larger than males, which isn't necessarily unique since most other sharks share that characteristic.
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