by Carol H. Morgan

Created on: August 22, 2008

The great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, is considered an apex predator and is at the top of the oceanic food chain. Known for its predation the great white makes use of a great range of prey for its diverse diet. Its weight at up to 5000 lbs and lengths of 20 feet make the great white shark the worlds largest predatory fish.

Habitat

Great white sharks live in almost all coastal and offshore waters that have an average temperature of 54-75 Fahrenheit. They appear more numerously on the coasts of Australia, South Africa, California, and Mexicos Isla Guadalupe. One of the most well known great white shark habitats is the waters of Dyer Island, South Africa. That is where most of the research on the sharks is done. They can also be found in the tropical waters of the Caribbean. They are usually found close to the surface but they have been known to dive to 4,200 below the surface.

Hunting styles

The great white shark is commonly known for its fierce hunting and predation. While this is true, they typically hunt using a ambush technique as it takes it prey from below. The great white shark uses it extra senses (mechanosense and electrosense) to detect prey from far off, and then utilizes its sense of sight and smell for the attack. If there was a drop of blood a hundred yards away they could smell it and they would charge at the presumed food and eat it

Studies have shown that most shark attacks occur within two hours after sunrise because this is the time they are not easily visible. The way that great white sharks consume their food is one of the most fascinating things about them. Great white sharks have an estimated 3000 teeth, lined in triangular rows. They make use of these by grabbing prey in their mouth; The bottom teeth hold the prey while the top teeth rip it open. The shark normally eats both the inside and the outside, oftentimes eating prey whole.

Diet

The great white sharks are carnivorous and prey upon a wide variety of fish and marine mammals. The fish they eat include tuna, rays, smaller sharks, porpoises, dolphins and sometimes whale carcasses. The great white has also been known to eat pinnipeds such as sea lions, seals, fur seals and sometimes sea turtles. Penguins and sea otters are sometimes attacked but rarely eaten. Great white sharks have a reputation of eating things that they are unable to digest.

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