LamniformesAttack Relevant

White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

Max Length

6.1m

Overview

The largest predatory fish on Earth. Responsible for the most recorded unprovoked attacks on humans globally. Endothermic. Bite-and-release behavior is the norm with humans — most victims are not consumed.

Habitat

This is a coastal and offshore shark of continental and insular shelves. The shark has been found off oceanic islands, and it also occurs close inshore. It penetrates shallow bays in coastal waters and may even venture into the surf. The shark is frequently found in the vicinity of pinniped colonies and has been caught at a depth of 4,199 ft [1280 m].

Distribution

Worldwide

Temperate, subtropical and tropical waters worldwide. In the western Atlantic: Newfoundland to Argentina, including the Bahamas. Eastern Atlantic: France to the Cape of Good Hope, and the Mediterranean Sea. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of Alaska to Chile. Central Pacific: Easter Island, Hawaiian Islands and Marshall Islands. Western Pacific: Siberia to Tasmania. Red Sea and Indian Ocean including South Africa and Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles, and Western Australia.

Behavior

This is the super-predator; it is without question the most formidable of all sharks. The white shark swims stiffly, and is capable of great speed. A shark, implanted with a sonic tag, had an average cruising speed of 3.2 kph. The shark sometimes raises its head above the water (?spy hops?), a behavior frequently observed in the vicinity of seal colonies and in baited situations.White sharks, especially adults, appear to be more cautious than other sharks, and are likely to assess a situation before deciding how to react. This may be one reason fewer white sharks are caught by fishermen than other species of sharks.

Human Safety

The white shark is intelligent, curious and learns by experience. However the shark does not have hands and it often uses its teeth to inspect an unfamiliar object.

Biology

Diet: In general, juveniles feed on fish, while adult sharks feed primarily on marine mammals, Reproduction - Ovoviviparous
Reproduction: Ovoviviparous
Male Maturity: 2.4m

Appearance

Dorsal: Slate brown to black above, white below. There is often a black spot at the pectoral fin axil and undersides of pectoral fins have black markings that vary among individuals.

Dentition

Upper jaw: Large triangular serrated teeth in both jaws. Teeth of the upper jaw are broad,
Lower jaw: jaw teeth are narrower.

Conservation

This species is protected in South African territorial waters. It is also a protected species along the eastern coast of the United States, Malta and Australia. In 2004, the white shark was listed on Appendix II of CITES, and it is listed on Appendix I and II of CMS (Bonn Convention).

Recorded incidents involving the white shark

Recorded

724

Fatal

170

Fatality rate

23.5%

Years

1554–2026

Top countries

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks have been recorded involving the white shark?

724 incidents in the Global Shark Attack File mention the white shark, of which 170 were fatal (23.5%). Note that witness species identifications are often uncertain, so this is the count of recorded incidents.

Where do most white shark incidents occur?

The countries with the most recorded white shark incidents are United States, Australia, South Africa.

Is the white shark dangerous to humans?

The white shark is considered relevant to human-shark incidents and has been recorded in the Global Shark Attack File. As with any large shark, encounters in the wild should be avoided.

Where does this species data come from?

Species profiles are compiled from peer-reviewed taxonomy and published references. Incident data is sourced from the Global Shark Attack File and joined to species records by name match.

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