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white shark

Scientific name Carcharodon carcharias
Descriptor Carl von Linné
Year of description 1758
IUCN category (World) VU
Family Lamnidae
Genus Carcharodon
Carcharodon carcharias Carcharodon carcharias
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Introduction

The white shark can be found in the coastal and oceanic waters of most temperate and sub-tropical oceans and seas around the globe.

First described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus under the name Carcharodon carcharias, it became popular thanks to the novel "Jaws" by Peter Benchley, adapted to cinema by Steven Spielberg.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    450 cm
  • Maximum size
    750 cm
  • Longevity
    40 year
  • Shape
    Rectangular
  • Average size
    450 cm
  • Maximum size
    750 cm
  • Longevity
    40 year
  • Shape
    Rectangular

How to recognize the white shark ?

The back is gray and the belly is white, hence its name. The teeth are flat, triangular, and serrated, and about 5 cm in length in adult individuals.

It has a heterocercal tail (high aspect ratio between height and length), which provides most of its propulsion capacity.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    solitary
  • territorial
    No
  • Way of living
    diurnal

The white shark is a solitary predator feeding on bony fish, other sharks and rays, and marine mammals. It is also an opportunist that can scavenge on whale carcasses in cold waters.

The white shark has a highly developed visual sense, giving it an observant and curious nature towards objects and activities.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovovivipare
  • Migratory species
    Yes

Sexual maturity in white sharks occurs around 12-17 years in females and 7-9 years in males. The aplacental viviparous gestation, with oophagy (young feeding on unfertilized eggs in the mother's belly), lasts about 18 months.

The female gives birth to around ten young exceeding one meter in length, avoiding predation risks.

Life-threatening species

  • Venomous
    No
  • Bite
    Yes

White sharks are powerful animals that can inflict deadly injuries on humans. Most attacks occur on surfers, with the surfboard potentially being mistaken for a sea turtle or seal.

Although spectacular, these accidents remain rare and exceptional.

Where to find it?

Geographic distribution & Conservation

Knowledge about shark populations and their exploitation is imprecise. However, several indicators (decreasing catches, decreasing yields) paint a fairly grim picture of their stocks, although situations vary from one species to another.

The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) has been listed in Appendix II of CITES since 2004.

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Depth
    0 - 1200 m
  • Environment
    Active pelagic

Biotope presentation

The white shark inhabits shallow waters, but can dive to depths of up to 1200 meters. It is often found near sandy or rocky shores.

Although it is attracted to estuaries for hunting, it does not frequent brackish and fresh waters, and unlike some of its relatives, it is never seen in coastal rivers.

Species of the same biotope

Fishkeeping

Not recommended

We do not recommend keeping this species in an aquarium. It has unpredictable needs which, if not met, generate significant stress, potentially leading to a shorter life expectancy, an interruption of its growth or the development of pathogens.

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

BioObs fishbase EOL ethic ocean UltraMarina

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Adrien Falzon

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Yuhei Nakata

Yuhei Nakata

Silvia Gomez

Silvia Gomez

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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