Sea AnimalsGreat White Sharks

Presentation by Karen Costello

The most common image that people have of a Great White Shark is that which is seen in the movie Jaws.

While it is understandable to fear this fierce predator, here are some basic facts to help you to understand this amazing creature more.

How big can Great Whites grow?

MALES FEMALESMales reach maturity at

11 – 13 feet in length The average weight of

an adult male is approximately 1,500 – 2,400 lbs

Females reach maturity at 15 – 16 feet in length

The average length of an adult female is approximately 13 – 17 feet long.

Females are generally larger than males.

What do Great Whites eat?

Great White sharks generally avoid conflict with each other. However, they can be cannibalistic.

They are apex predators which means that they are at the top of the food chain and have no natural predators of their own. http://greatwhite.org/frame_facts.htm

Sea lionsSealsDolphinsSea TurtlesWhalesPorpoisesCarcasses

SHARK ATTACKS ON HUMANS

Shark ConservationNo accurate population numbers are available, but Great White sharks are considered to be vulnerable and endangered.

Although many shark species are targeted by fisherman for their jaws and teeth, Great Whites are rarely desired by commercial fisherman.http://www.whitesharktrust.org/pages/index.html

Great White Sharks have killed humans, but they do not target them.

Most cases of shark attacks are a case of mistaken identity.

Sharks will take a “test bite” to see whether the prey is suitable for consumption.

Humans are considered to be too boney for a sharks taste.

They prefer a high fat and protein meal as found in a seal.