17 Secrets About White Sharks the Government Is Hiding
The White Shark represents the largest predatory species ever seen, when we consider the dimensions.
In addition, this fish is the only one that managed to survive from the genus Carcharodon.
![]() |
white shark |
In this sense, we can understand the rarity of the species and its great relevance.
Today we will talk about its characteristics, curiosities, distribution and other information.
Classification
- Scientific name – Carcharodon carcharias;
- Family – Lamnidae.
White Shark Characteristics
The White Shark Fish was cataloged in 1758 and draws attention due to its fusiform body and weight.
The fish’s mouth is rounded and large, as well as shaped like an arc or parabola.
With this, the shark keeps its mouth ajar, which allows many to see a row of teeth from the upper jaw.
And an interesting point is that at the time of attack, the fish’s jaws open to the point that the head is deformed.
The bite force would be 5 times greater than that of a human.
Therefore, know that the teeth of the animal are large, serrated, wide and have a triangular shape.
The teeth are aligned in the jaw and there is no spacing between them.
Talking about the fish’s nostrils, it is worth mentioning that they are narrow, while the eyes are small, black and circular.
Characteristics that differentiate the species would be the five gill slits that are on the loin, in addition to the well-developed pectoral fins.
And although it has the common name “white shark”, know that the species only has a clear ventral part.
The dorsal region would be bluish or gray, a pattern that serves as camouflage.
Finally, individuals reach 7 m in total length and 2.5 tons.
White Shark Breeding
White Shark Fish reproduction occurs in temperate waters and from spring to summer.
In this way, females are able to keep 4 to 14 eggs in their uterus until they hatch.
A relevant feature is that the eggs hatch and intrauterine cannibalism can occur.
This means that the larger chicks will simply eat the fragile ones.
As a result, it is common for only 4 puppies measuring 1.20 m in length and serrated teeth to make it out.
From this moment on, individuals lead a solitary life and grow rapidly, reaching 2 m in length in the first year of life.
As for sexual dimorphism, understand that males are smaller than females and sexually mature at 3.8 m in length.
They mature between 4.5 and 5 m in length.
Food
The diet of the adult White Shark fish would be based on large mammals.
In this sense, individuals have the following ambush strategy:
The fish has the habit of swimming several meters under the prey.
Thus, while the prey swims on the surface, the white shark is able to camouflage itself on the underside because of its dark back.
Right at the moment of the attack, the shark advances with powerful movements from the lap up, and opens its jaw.
With this, the victim is hit in the womb and dies instantly, if he is small.
Larger victims, on the other hand, have a part of their body ripped off, which makes them moribund.
Thus, it is also worth mentioning that individuals of the species can feed on carrion.
Sharks often eat drifting whale corpses and also eat floating objects by mistake.
Curiosities
A very interesting curiosity about the White Shark Fish would be its senses.
The nerve endings are in the lateral line of the body and allow the sensation of any type of vibration.
Therefore, the shark has great ease in finding its prey, considering that the senses practically guide it to the victim.
Another important body feature would be the receptors on the fish’s head.
These receivers allow the fish to pick up electric fields of varying frequency.
Thus, many experts believe that this positively influences orientation during migrations.
The fish has an excellent sense of smell and developed eyesight.
Speaking initially about the sense of smell, the white shark is attracted to a drop of blood from miles away, something that makes it very aggressive.
Already the developed vision allows the animal to see its victim and attack it from below.
Where to find the Great White Shark
The White Shark Fish is present in the middle of the ocean, especially in coastal waters.
But, it is important that you understand that the distribution covers several regions such as the Lesser Antilles, Gulf of Mexico, Cuba and the United States.
When we consider the coastal area of the Pacific Ocean in North America, know that the fish is from Baja California to southern Alaska.
On the other hand, the distribution in South America is strong in Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro and also in Argentina, Panama or Chile.
It also inhabits the regions of Hawaii, Maldives, South Africa, New Zealand, Senegal, England, as well as the islands of Cape Verde and the Canary Islands.
In addition, the fish are in the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Therefore, in fact the distribution occurs in different regions of the world.
Know that fish are found in deep places, where there is an abundance of light and marine currents.