shark-facts-great-white
Great White Shark Source: mlbay Pixabay.com

Shark Facts - The Great White Might Surprise You!

The great white shark is one of the most mysterious creatures in the ocean. Due to movies like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea, the great white’s bad reputation has led many people to believe that great whites are mindless killers who will eat anything they see. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth! In reality, great whites have very strict dietary requirements and prefer seals or sea lions over humans. This article covers some great white shark facts, so you can learn more about this fantastic animal!

16 Facts About The Great White Shark

  1. Great white sharks can weigh up to 5,000-6,500 pounds and are over 15 feet in length.
  2. They like to live near the water surface.
  3. Great white sharks prefer warmer surface temperatures of 68 degrees and below.
  4.  They have a body temperature of around 38 degrees.
  5.  Great white sharks have preyed on many different types of animals, including sea lions, dolphins, seals, birds, dugong (large marine mammals), and sea turtles.
  6.  When great white sharks hunt, they often circle their prey before attacking it from behind.
  7.  The great white shark’s jaw comprises three rows of teeth with multiple pointy teeth lining each row.
  8.  Great white sharks are found in all ocean basins, but they don’t like the cold waters in the Arctic regions.
  9.  The largest great white shark measured in at 21 feet and 3,427 lbs.
  10.  Great white sharks are a protected species.
  11.  They can swim up to 35 mph for short periods.
  12.  Most great white sharks live around 15 years, but very few make it past the age of 12.
  13.  Great white sharks prefer warmer surface temperatures of 68 degrees and below.
  14.  Great white sharks have preyed on many different animals, including sea lions, dolphins, seals, birds, dugong (large marine mammals), and sea turtles.
  15.  It does NOT have any eyelids – only transparent protective shields over its eyes (which are called “nictitating membranes”).
  16.  Sharks give birth to live young, with great white sharks giving birth to an average of five pups per litter.

Sharks are not mindless killer machines!

Great white sharks have been the source of many great Hollywood movies, but they’re actually not mindless killers. In reality, great whites are very picky eaters who prefer seals and sea lions to humans! If you want to know more about great white shark facts, be sure to check out this article for a full list of interesting information on these animals. We hope that our article has helped dispel any myths or misconceptions about great white sharks–if so, please share with your friends today!

Love sharks? Decorate your wall with them!

Add some sea to your home with our shark art prints! Fast, easy, and affordable!