Facts about Great White Sharks
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Isotope analysis of great white shark vertebrae reveals they can be aged with precision, confirming some individuals have survived over 70 years in the wild.
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Pregnant great white sharks nourish their developing pups by producing nutrient-rich uterine milk, a reproductive strategy unique among most shark species.
- 09
The white coloration of great white sharks' dorsal surfaces provides camouflage from below, where prey cannot distinguish the shark from sunlit surface waters above.
- 08
During deep dives, great white sharks can descend to depths exceeding 3,900 feet, where they hunt sixgill sharks in near-total darkness.
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Each great white shark can live approximately 70 years in the wild, making them among the longest-lived fish species in the ocean.
- 06
Between 9 and 14 months, great white shark embryos develop inside the mother's womb in a process called ovoviviparity, where they feed on unfertilized eggs.
- 05
Female great white sharks typically reach sexual maturity between ages 12 and 18, making them among the slowest-reproducing large predators on Earth.
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Rows of replaceable teeth in great white sharks can grow up to 3,000 individual teeth throughout their lifetime, with new ones replacing lost or worn ones every two weeks.
- 03
Great white sharks possess electroreceptive organs called ampullae of Lorenzini that detect electrical fields as weak as five millionths of a volt.
- 02
A great white shark's liver comprises up to 24 percent of its body weight and stores oils that provide buoyancy in saltwater.
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Swimming at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, great white sharks can accelerate from stationary position in less than one second.