# Are Great White Sharks Endangered?

> Are great white sharks endangered? Status Vulnerable, main threats, and what protection means.

- **Species:** Great White Shark (*Carcharodon carcharias*)
- **Conservation status:** Vulnerable
- **Diet:** Carnivore (seals, sea lions, fish, rays)
- **Habitat:** Cool and temperate coastal waters worldwide
- **Lifespan:** Up to 70 years
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/great-white-shark/are-great-white-shark-endangered/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/great-white-shark/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a large predatory fish found in cool and temperate coastal waters worldwide. It grows to around 4 to 4.6 m (13 to 15 ft), with some individuals exceeding 6 m, and can weigh up to 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). A powerful hunter of seals, sea lions, fish, and rays, it can swim in short bursts of up to 56 km/h (35 mph) and may live as long as 70 years. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a captive feeding plan from a veterinarian. This page is wild diet, not a pet-care sheet.

## Size and appearance

Great white sharks are the largest predatory fish on Earth, typically measuring 4 to 4.6 m (13 to 15 ft), though exceptional individuals exceed 6 m. Mature adults commonly weigh between 680 and 1,100 kg (1,500 to 2,400 lb), and some are heavier still. Their name comes from the stark white underside, which contrasts with a slate-grey back that camouflages them against the seabed when viewed from above. This countershading lets them approach prey from below almost unseen.

## Help protect the Great White Shark

Ocean wildlife is under mounting pressure from overfishing, bycatch and plastic pollution.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/great-white-shark/are-great-white-shark-endangered/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.