Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Carcharodon carcharias
- Common name
- Great white shark
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Lamnidae
- Genus
- Carcharodon
- Size
- 400–620 cm
- Depth
- 0–1200 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- pelagic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean
Description
Carcharodon carcharias reaches 6.2 m exceptionally (record ~7 m) and up to 2.3 tons. Great white shark (Lamnidae) cosmopolitan temperate to subtropical with fusiform body slate-gray to brown-gray on back and stark white on belly (hence the name), crescent tail (lamniform), powerful serrated triangular teeth, partially endothermic. Lives from 0 to 1200 m coastal and pelagic. Apex predator, mainly pinnipeds (sea lions, seals) and cetaceans. IUCN Vulnerable. Rare dive photo subject, mainly cage diving at Guadalupe Island (East Pacific Mexico), South Africa, South Australia. Mythical encounter but under strict supervision.
Photo of Great white shark
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Great white shark?
- Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) reaches 400–620 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Great white shark?
- Great white shark is found between 0–1200 m deep.
- Is the Great white shark dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Great white shark?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Great white shark?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Lamnidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105838)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2420694)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia