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 Whale shark | File 79 of 111 | Whitetip reef shark  |
White shark, Carcharodon carcharias
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White shark Carcharodon carcharias Requin blanc
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Description :
A large shark with a heavy spindle-shaped body, conical snout, caudal keel and lunate caudal fin.
COLOUR: 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.
SIZE : Males begin to mature at 7.8 ft [2.4 m], and may reach 18 ft [5.5 m]. Maximum length is at least 20.9 ft [6.4 m], possibly over 26.25 ft [8 m].
TEETH: Large triangular serrated teeth in both jaws. Teeth of the upper jaw are broad, lower jaw teeth are narrower.
COLOUR: 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.
SIZE : Males begin to mature at 7.8 ft [2.4 m], and may reach 18 ft [5.5 m]. Maximum length is at least 20.9 ft [6.4 m], possibly over 26.25 ft [8 m].
TEETH: Large triangular serrated teeth in both jaws. Teeth of the upper jaw are broad, lower jaw teeth are narrower.
Lookalike species White shark :
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].
Natural history :
BIOLOGY
GENERAL: This species is able to maintain a body temperature as much as 14.4ºF [8ºC] above the ambient water temperature. By keeping the temperature of muscles and internal organs higher than the surrounding water, the white shark's muscular strength and energy level is greater than that of a cold-bodied shark.
Prey - In general, juveniles feed on fish, while adult sharks feed primarily on marine mammals,
Reproduction - Ovoviviparous
BEHAVIOUR: 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.
DISPOSITION: The white shark is curious and it learns by experience. However the shark does not have hands and it often uses its teeth to inspect an unfamiliar object.
Danger to humans - Sightings of a white shark does not mean that an attack is inevitable; the shark is often indifferent to divers. However, this species has been implicated in numerous unprovoked attacks on swimmers, surfers and divers. Most bites by white sharks are not fatal, but incidents in which a white shark partially consumed a human have occurred. In baited situations divers are advised to remain inside a shark cage.
STATUS: 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).
GENERAL: This species is able to maintain a body temperature as much as 14.4ºF [8ºC] above the ambient water temperature. By keeping the temperature of muscles and internal organs higher than the surrounding water, the white shark's muscular strength and energy level is greater than that of a cold-bodied shark.
Prey - In general, juveniles feed on fish, while adult sharks feed primarily on marine mammals,
Reproduction - Ovoviviparous
BEHAVIOUR: 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.
DISPOSITION: The white shark is curious and it learns by experience. However the shark does not have hands and it often uses its teeth to inspect an unfamiliar object.
Danger to humans - Sightings of a white shark does not mean that an attack is inevitable; the shark is often indifferent to divers. However, this species has been implicated in numerous unprovoked attacks on swimmers, surfers and divers. Most bites by white sharks are not fatal, but incidents in which a white shark partially consumed a human have occurred. In baited situations divers are advised to remain inside a shark cage.
STATUS: 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).
Distribution :
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.
Bibliography and references :
Shark Research Institute (Global Shark Attack File)
http://www.sharkattackfile.net/species.htm
Do you have a photo of this species? Please contact us: info@geerg.ca
http://www.sharkattackfile.net/species.htm
Do you have a photo of this species? Please contact us: info@geerg.ca
Editing participants for this descriptive file :
Your observations :
There are 53 observations for White shark. Add an observation
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Watching a species consists of adding it to a list that will send you an email message every time a new observation is added. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may easily remove the species from your list at any time. You just have to visit the description file of the species or change your parameters on "Watched Species" on your personal page.
This species is currently watched by adie, GEERG, jcorke, sddbrown, Thediver123 and thescubalife.
Watching a species consists of adding it to a list that will send you an email message every time a new observation is added. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may easily remove the species from your list at any time. You just have to visit the description file of the species or change your parameters on "Watched Species" on your personal page.
This species is currently watched by adie, GEERG, jcorke, sddbrown, Thediver123 and thescubalife.
| Whale shark | File 79 of 111 | Whitetip reef shark |
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