White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

The ocean's apex predator, known for its powerful build, iconic shape, and remarkable hunting abilities. Found in coastal waters worldwide, including Western Australia's temperate seas.

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White Shark
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Photo
Distribution map
Distribution map

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Hunting

Incredible Speed

White sharks can reach bursts of speed up to 56 km/h (35 mph) when attacking prey from below. They can breach completely out of the water when hunting seals, launching themselves up to 3 meters into the air in spectacular displays of power.

Senses

Electroreception Superpower

White sharks can detect electrical fields as small as one billionth of a volt through specialized organs called ampullae of Lorenzini. This allows them to sense the heartbeat of prey hidden under sand and even detect the Earth's magnetic field for navigation.

Biology

Warm-Blooded Advantage

Unlike most sharks, white sharks are partially warm-blooded (endothermic). They can maintain their body temperature up to 14°C warmer than surrounding water through a heat-exchange system in their blood vessels. This gives them enhanced muscle power and allows them to hunt in colder waters.

Teeth

Endless Tooth Replacement

White sharks can have up to 300 serrated teeth arranged in multiple rows. They continuously replace teeth throughout their lives, going through approximately 30,000 teeth in a lifetime. When a front tooth is lost, a tooth from the row behind moves forward to replace it.

Migration

Epic Ocean Travelers

White sharks undertake remarkable long-distance migrations, with some individuals traveling over 20,000 kilometers in a year. Tagged sharks have been tracked crossing entire ocean basins, diving to depths exceeding 1,200 meters and traveling between Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.