Sharks have the ability to terrify, intrigue, and delight us – sometimes, all at the same time. Ever since the blockbuster release of Jaws in 1974, killer sharks have frequently played the villain in horror-thriller movies; ramping up the widespread fear about what lurks beneath the waves.
But great whites are largely misunderstood and many scientists and animal experts agree that, while dangerous, they aren’t the mindless killers that people make them out to be. What they are, though, is fascinating; not least because they’ve existed for more than 450 million years, making them older than the earliest tree.
With that said, we’ve pulled together 12 of our favourite shark facts for you to sink your teeth into. We hope you enjoy this deep dive into the ocean’s most iconic predator just as much as we did!
1. Great white shark embryos eat their siblings in the womb
Studies suggest that great white sharks develop their first hunting instincts in the womb where the larger and more developed embryos eat their smaller siblings. It’s believed that they use them for nutrition and also eliminate them so that they don’t have to compete for limited resources in the womb. This cannibalistic behaviour is designed to give the stronger embryos the best chance of surviving birth and thriving in the ocean.
Female great white sharks are also ovoviviparous – which means they lay eggs inside their womb, where they hatch, and are birthed live. The gestation period of a shark can be anywhere between 11 and 22 months.
Once born, great white shark pups must fend for themselves and their mother doesn’t play a role in bringing them up. A female great white shark isn’t capable of producing offspring until she’s 33, while a male doesn’t reach sexual maturity until he’s 26.
2. Great white sharks have toxic blood
Great white sharks have been found to have shocking levels of heavy metals in their blood, which doesn’t appear to affect their health. When scientists analysed blood samples from sharks in the waters off South Africa, they found high concentrations of elements such as lead, mercury, and arsenic.
However, researchers have said that the problem with these toxic blood levels is that it will mean the species they eat, such as fish (which humans eat too), will also have high levels of toxins in their tissues.
3. Great white sharks have one of the highest bite forces of any living animal
We all know that great whites are famous for their teeth, but their bite can be 25 times stronger than a human, at 4,000 pounds per square inch, depending on the size of the shark. Couple this with their incredible swim speed (up to 35mph!) and it’s easy to understand just how lethal these creatures can be.
4. The world’s biggest shark may be over six metres long
Deep Blue is the name given to a huge great white shark that’s thought to be the biggest of its kind in the world. Last seen in 2021 in Guadalupe, Mexico, the female shark measured over six metres long and was predicted to be over 50 years old. She was filmed circling ocean divers in a cage and is seen taking a snap at the bars.
Prior to this, in 2019, the 2.5-tonne shark was seen feasting on whale carcass off the coast of Hawaii, while National Geographic filmed a documentary. She was also seen that year by diver and conservationist Ocean Ramsey who swam with and touched her. And, in 2015, marine biologist Mauricio Hoyos Padilla had an encounter too, capturing Deep Blue on camera – something he’d not been able to do when he first discovered her in 2013.
5. There are far more survivors of shark bite attacks than there are fatalities
In 2023, there were 69 confirmed unprovoked shark bites worldwide, with only 10 resulting in fatalities. This indicates that the vast majority of shark bite incidents are non-fatal.
The United States recorded the highest number of unprovoked bites at 36, with only two fatalities. Australia had 15 incidents, with four fatalities, accounting for 40% of global shark bite deaths.
Despite the increase in fatalities compared to previous years, shark bites remain rare, and fatalities are even less common. Sharks typically do not view humans as prey, and most bites are investigatory rather than predatory.
6. Great whites can detect a drop of blood in 100 litres of water
Great white sharks have an exceptional sense of smell, capable of detecting a single drop of blood in 100 litres of water. This is essential for their role as apex predators, enabling them to locate prey over vast distances.
The part of their brain involved in sensing smells is highly developed, allowing them to get a whiff of even minimal concentrations of blood –- which can point to the presence of injured or vulnerable prey.
7. The great white rolls its eyes back in its head before attacking to protect them
Great white sharks roll their eyes back into their heads before attacking to protect their eyes from injury during high-speed strikes. This rotation exposes a tough piece of cartilage that shields their eyes, which is crucial when dealing with prey that might fight back, such as fur seals with sharp claws and teeth.
This adaptation is necessary because great whites lack a nictitating membrane (a protective feature found in some other shark species). Although this eye-rolling renders them temporarily blind, they rely on other senses like smell and electroreception to successfully carry out their ambushes.
8. You’re 33 times more likely to be killed by a dog than a great white shark
Each year, more people are killed by dogs than by great white sharks. For example, between 2001 and 2013, dogs killed 364 people in the United States, while sharks were responsible for only 11 deaths in the same period.
This means individuals are significantly more likely to be killed by a dog than by a shark. Despite the sensationalism surrounding shark attacks, they remain rare, whereas interactions with dogs are more frequent, leading to a higher incidence of fatal encounters.
9. Young great whites spend time developing in warmer, shallower waters than their parents
Young great white sharks often seek refuge in warmer, shallower waters, rather than the deeper, cooler habitats preferred by adult sharks. These nursery areas, typically found near coastlines, provide a safer environment for juveniles to grow and develop away from larger predators.
The warmer temperatures promote faster growth rates and enhance their metabolic processes, which is key during their early life stages. Plenty of prey also live here, allowing young sharks to hone their hunting skills and increase their chances of survival as they transition to adulthood.
10. You can tell a great white shark’s age by counting it’s rings
You can determine a great white shark’s age by counting the rings on its vertebrae, similar to counting tree rings.
As they grow, their vertebrae accumulate layers of calcium carbonate, forming distinct rings that indicate periods of growth. Each year, a new ring is added, allowing researchers to estimate the age of the shark accurately.
Understanding a shark’s age is essential for conservation efforts, as it helps scientists understand population dynamics and the impact of environmental changes.
11. Great white sharks can renew their teeth
Great white sharks possess a remarkable ability to renew their teeth throughout their lives. Unlike humans, who have a fixed set of teeth, sharks can lose thousands of teeth and still replace them. A single shark may have up to 3,000 teeth at any given time, arranged in multiple rows.
When a tooth is lost, a new one moves forward from the back row to take its place, often within a matter of days. This continuous renewal process ensures that sharks maintain their predatory efficiency, allowing them to effectively capture and eat prey.
12. More than 100,000,000 sharks are killed by humans each year
Each year, over 100 million sharks are killed by humans, mostly due to fishing practices. This staggering figure equates to approximately 275,000 sharks per day. Most of these deaths are linked to the shark fin trade, where fins are removed and the rest of the shark is discarded.
Despite efforts to regulate shark fishing, mortality rates remain high, posing a significant threat to shark populations. While exact numbers of great white deaths are unknown, the species is particularly vulnerable, due to its slow growth and low reproductive rates.
Final thoughts…
As you explore these captivating shark facts, hopefully, you can view great whites through a lens of curiosity and respect rather than fear.
These magnificent creatures, with their ancient lineage and remarkable adaptations, play an essential role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. And, by understanding their true nature and dispelling myths, we can foster a greater appreciation for sharks and balance they bring to our oceans.
We hope these insights inspire you to learn more about these incredible animals and support efforts to protect them for future generations.
For further reading, check out our article; 16 weird and wonderful animals you can find in the UK.
What are your thoughts on great white sharks? Are you fascinated or fearful? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.