# Great White Shark (*Carcharodon carcharias*) > 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. - **Category:** Fish - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable - **Range:** Cool and temperate coastal waters worldwide, with well-known populations off South Africa, southern Australia, California, and the northeastern United States. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/great-white-shark/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Chondrichthyes - **Order:** Lamniformes - **Family:** Lamnidae - **Genus:** Carcharodon ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Carcharodon carcharias | | Diet | Carnivore (seals, sea lions, fish, rays) | | Habitat | Cool and temperate coastal waters worldwide | | Lifespan | Up to 70 years | | Weight | 680–1,100 kg (1,500–2,400 lb), sometimes more | | Length | 4–4.6 m (13–15 ft); some exceed 6 m | | Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) | ## 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. ## Hunting and diet Great whites are carnivores that feed mainly on seals, sea lions, fish, and rays, shifting toward larger marine mammals as they grow. They often attack from directly beneath their target, rushing upward in a single explosive strike that can briefly reach 56 km/h (35 mph). Rows of serrated, triangular teeth are continuously replaced throughout the shark's life, so a worn or broken tooth is quickly succeeded by a fresh one behind it. After a heavy meal, a great white can go weeks before needing to feed again. ## Senses and navigation Great whites have an extraordinary array of senses tuned for hunting in open water. Special jelly-filled pores called the ampullae of Lorenzini detect the faint electrical fields produced by other animals, allowing the shark to sense prey even when it cannot see it. A keen sense of smell can pick up traces of blood diluted in vast volumes of seawater, and a sensitive lateral line registers pressure changes and movement nearby. Together these senses make the great white a formidable and precise predator. ## Habitat and range Great white sharks live in cool and temperate coastal waters across the globe, from the coasts of South Africa and Australia to California and the Mediterranean. They favour productive areas near seal colonies, rocky reefs, and offshore islands, but they also undertake long migrations across open ocean. Satellite tracking has revealed individuals crossing entire ocean basins and diving to considerable depths. This wide, patchy distribution makes the species difficult to survey accurately. ## Reproduction and growth Great whites are slow to mature, with females often not breeding until around 30 years of age. They are ovoviviparous, meaning the young develop inside eggs that hatch within the mother, and pups are born live after a gestation thought to last roughly a year. Litters are small, usually a handful of pups, each already more than a metre long and independent from birth. This slow reproductive pace, combined with a lifespan of up to 70 years, means populations recover only very gradually from losses. ## Why it is vulnerable The IUCN classifies the great white shark as Vulnerable, reflecting long-term declines in many regions. Accidental capture in fishing gear, targeted hunting for jaws and teeth, and the depletion of prey have all taken a toll, made worse by the species' late maturity and low birth rate. Great whites are effectively impossible to keep in aquariums, as they fare poorly in captivity and rarely survive long. Legal protection in countries such as South Africa, Australia, and the United States has become central to safeguarding the remaining population. ## Frequently asked questions ### How big do great white sharks get? Great white sharks typically reach 4 to 4.6 m (13 to 15 ft) in length, though some individuals exceed 6 m. They usually weigh between 680 and 1,100 kg (1,500 to 2,400 lb), and occasionally more, making them the largest predatory fish alive today. ### How fast can a great white shark swim? A great white shark can swim in short bursts of up to about 56 km/h (35 mph) when ambushing prey. It cannot sustain that speed for long and cruises far more slowly while patrolling or migrating. ### How long do great white sharks live? Great white sharks are long-lived and may reach around 70 years of age. They grow and mature slowly, with females often not breeding until roughly 30 years old. ### What do great white sharks eat? Great white sharks are carnivores that feed on seals, sea lions, fish, and rays. Younger sharks eat mostly fish and smaller prey, switching to larger marine mammals as they grow bigger and stronger. ### Are great white sharks endangered? Great white sharks are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, not yet endangered but at real risk. Accidental capture in fishing gear, targeted hunting, and declining prey, combined with their slow breeding, all threaten their numbers. ### Can great white sharks be kept in aquariums? No. Great white sharks are effectively impossible to keep in captivity, as they fare very poorly in aquariums and rarely survive more than a short time. Most attempts have ended with the shark being released or dying, so there are no long-term captive great whites. ## Sources - [Rigby, C. L. et al. (2019). Carcharodon carcharias. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3855/212629880) - Compagno, L. J. V. (2001). Sharks of the World. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. - Klimley, A. P. & Ainley, D. G. (eds.) (1996). Great White Sharks: The Biology of Carcharodon carcharias. Academic Press. - [Animal Diversity Web — Carcharodon carcharias. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Carcharodon_carcharias/) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/great-white-shark/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.