Bruce

Original Oil on Canvas

18 x 24 inches

Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias

Fast Facts

Type: Fish

Diet: Carnivore

Size: 15 ft (4.6 m) to more than 20 ft (6 m)

Weight: 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) or more

Did you know?  Great Whites get their name from their universally white underbellies.  Great whites can detect one drop of blood in 25 gal (100 L) of water and can sense even tiny amounts of blood in the water up to 3 mi (5 km) away. Great whites are the largest predatory fish on Earth. 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.

Human Interaction: Great White Shark numbers are decreasing precipitously due to overfishing and accidental catching in gill nets, among other factors, and they are listed as an endangered species.

Status:  Vulnerable

*Facts from National Geographic