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GREAT WHITE SHARK FACTS |
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- The white shark is the largest predatory fish in the oceans of the world.
- White sharks can grow to a length of 7 meters or more and can weigh over 3 metric tons.
- The white shark tops the killer whale as the worlds apex predator.
- White sharks cannot be kept in captivity for long.
- White sharks are intelligent and natural learners, but they cannot be trained by human contact.
- The white shark has highly developed senses:
- It can smell one part of fish to several million parts of water.
- Its electromagnetic receptors (ampulae of lorenzini) can detect several billionths of a volt of electricity.
- Its lateral lines, from the nose to the tail, can detect minute molecular pressure changes in water density up to 100 meters away.
- White sharks are highly adaptable and can thrive in different oceanic environments (ie they can adapt to differences in prey and temperature etc).
- The worlds largest concentrations of white sharks are found in temperate regions where water temperatures range between 10 and 20°C.
- The white shark is a trans-oceanic migrator and has the longest migratory range of any marine creature on record. A female white shark travelled a distance of 20 000km from Dyer Island (South Africa) to western Australian and back in just under nine months.
- The white shark is the only shark species that will readily examine objects above the surface by lifting its head out of the water (ie Sphyhopping).
- The white shark has a central blue pupil surrounded by a predominately black eye, contradicting popular belief that the eye of the great white is black and lifeless.
- The white shark is semi warm-blooded and has an extremely complex heat exchange system which helps propel the shark to speeds of over 35-40mph in short bursts.
- The white shark regulates its body temperature at a constant 25°C regardless of the surrounding water temperature.
- The white shark is a macro-predator. That means it will prey on anything the same size as itself or smaller.
- The white shark is also a scavenger and will readily take secondary prey, for example trash, handouts, and off fishing lines.
- The white shark is predominately an inshore predator.
- The white shark cannot produce body fat and is composed of skin, muscle, and cartilage.
- The liver of the white shark is a huge source of energy and can weigh up to 30% of its total body weight.
- The dorsal fin is flexible and works with the tail to achieve high maneuverability.
- The jaw of the white shark is not fully attached to the skull and is highly flexible. It is the most efficient cutting instrument of any living creature.
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