Great White Shark Overview

The great white shark is one of the largest fish species.

Great white sharks live in tropical and temperate ocean waters worldwide.

Great white sharks have about 300 triangular, serrated teeth.

The shark's huge fatty liver weighs over a quarter of its body.

Partial warm-bloodedness helps great whites stay active in cold water.

Female great whites mature at 4.6 to 4.9 meters long.

Males mature smaller, at 3.4 to 4.0 meters in length.

The longest reliably measured great white was 6.02 meters long.

Teeth grow broader and more serrated as great whites mature.

Great whites have a large triangular dorsal fin aligned with pectoral fins.

The shark’s eyes have blue irises and horizontal-shaped pupils.

Five senses help great whites hunt: sight, smell, hearing, electroreception, flow.

Great whites travel between coasts, open oceans, and continents.

Populations show genetic differences with three major clades worldwide.

Great white sharks usually avoid humans; bites come from curiosity or mistake.