The Great White Shark, also known as the Great White, White Shark, White Pointer, or White Death, is a species of large mackerel shark which can be found in the coastal surface waters of all the major oceans. The largest predatory shark living today, the Great White is also a smaller descendant of the prehistoric shark Megalodon.
Characteristics[]
Measuring on average between 4.7 to 6 meters (15 to 20 ft) long and weighing between 1 to 2.5 tons (2,000 to 5,000 pounds), the Great White Shark is perhaps the largest species of predatory shark in living today. However, there have been cases of rare and colossal individuals that were able to attain sizes between 7 to 13.7 meter (23 to 45 ft) in length and weighed as heavy as 3 to 25 tons (6,000 to 55,000 lb). They have a robust, large, conical snout, upper and lower tail fin lobes that are the same approximate size, and display countershading, via having a hard ferrous grey dorsal area and a ghostly white underside that gives an overall mottled appearance.
The coloration makes it difficult for prey to spot the shark because it breaks up the shark's outline when seen from the side. From above, the darker shade blends with the sea and from below it exposes a minimal silhouette against the sunlight. When the shark bites, it shakes its head side-to-side, helping the teeth saw off large chunks of flesh. Great Whites have larger eyes than other shark species in proportion to their body size. The iris of the eye is a deep blue instead of black.