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white shark

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

Carcharodon carcharias, commonly known as white shark, is a salt water fish.

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 white shark measures between 450 and 750 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly blanc and gris body.

Behaviour & Life cycle

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

The white shark hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.

The white shark is a fish solitary. This species is carnivorous .

Although the white shark is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovovivipare
  • Migratory species
    Yes

The white shark is a fish ovovivipare.

Life-threatening species

  • Venomous
    No
  • Bite
    Yes

This species can attack if it feels threatened. It is important to be particularly vigilant especially during dives or fishing sessions. In the most serious cases, it can cause death.

Where to find it?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Depth
    0 - 1200 m
  • Environment
    Active pelagic

Biotope presentation

The white shark is most often found at a depth between 0m and 1200m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

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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