Name: Carcharodon carcharias, also known as great white, white pointer, white shark, or white death, is a large lamniform shark
Location: Coastal surface waters in all major oceans
Size: 15 ft (4.6 m) to more than 20 ft (6 m)
Weight: 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) or more
Lifespan: 30 to over 100 years
Interesting Tidbits: Great whites can detect one drop of blood in 100 L of water and can sense even tiny amounts of blood in the water up to 5 km away. The legendary great white shark is far more fearsome in our imaginations than in reality. As scientific research on these elusive predators increases, their image as mindless killing machines is beginning to fade.
Of the 100-plus annual shark attacks worldwide, fully one-third to one-half are attributable to great whites. However, most of these are not fatal, and new research finds that great whites, who are naturally curious, are "sample biting" then releasing their victims rather than preying on humans. It’s not a terribly comforting distinction, but it does indicate that humans are not actually on the great white’s menu.
Why am I Posting This? For some reason, sharks (especially great whites) have always been fascinating for me and fill be with both fear and awe. When I accidently stumbled across this information at Save the Planet, I just wanted to share it.
My brother lives in Australia and they have one of the healthiest great white shark populations around. Keith, if you are reading this, please stay away from anything that looks like the above picture!
Does anyone else find sharks fascinating?
Sharks really scare me. Sample biting is scary! I think the fact that they are so fast and that you probably wouldn’t see them coming is what scares me.