Great White Shark Habitats
The great white is found in temperate oceans, preferring a temperature ranging between 54 and 75 degrees F (12 and 24 degrees C). The shark lives off the coasts of North America, southern Africa, Australia (especially New South Wales and South Australia), New Zealand, Japan, Chile and parts of the Mediterranean. One of the densest known great white shark populations lives around Dyer Island, South Africa, which makes the area a prime shark research location
The picture above is a great example of where all of the Great Whites hangout (labeled in blue)
Great White Classification: Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthys
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Lamnidae
Great White Description
Great white sharks are large, averaging between 5,940 and 7,040 pounds (2,694 and 3,193 kg) and 12-20 feet (3.7-6 m) in length. The female is usually larger than the male. Its shape resembles a torpedo with a pointed tip, making this predator extremely fast in the water and amazingly efficient
Great White's Adaptations
Found throughout the world, sharks have a variety of species-specific adaptations that help them survive and thrive in various environments. Some traits, however, extend across species, helping sharks effectively swim, hunt, eat and hide. With keen senses and special organs, they're uniquely suited to their role as apex predators of the oceans.
Sharks have several adaptations that help them swim without expending too much energy, and enable them to maneuver quickly and with agility. Their bodies taper to points at both the snout and the tail, reducing water resistance
The great white shark has numerous adaptive detectors used for hunting. Sharks have several means of sensing prey. Their snouts are covered with ampullae of Lorenzini, sensory organs that pick up electrical signals from potential prey. Their inner ears perceive nearby movement, and lateral lines -- parallel rows of scales that run down the shark’s body.
When sharks lose a tooth, a new one grows to replace it. The shape and sharpness of the teeth varies by species
Most sharks are dark with pale bellies. This helps conceal them: Seen from below, the undersides match the pale sky; seen from above, their brown, black or gray backs blend into the deeper water.
Sharks have several adaptations that help them swim without expending too much energy, and enable them to maneuver quickly and with agility. Their bodies taper to points at both the snout and the tail, reducing water resistance
The great white shark has numerous adaptive detectors used for hunting. Sharks have several means of sensing prey. Their snouts are covered with ampullae of Lorenzini, sensory organs that pick up electrical signals from potential prey. Their inner ears perceive nearby movement, and lateral lines -- parallel rows of scales that run down the shark’s body.
When sharks lose a tooth, a new one grows to replace it. The shape and sharpness of the teeth varies by species
Most sharks are dark with pale bellies. This helps conceal them: Seen from below, the undersides match the pale sky; seen from above, their brown, black or gray backs blend into the deeper water.