The legendary great white sharks are far more fearsome in our imaginations than in reality. If you have seen the movie Jaws, you will know what I mean. Scientific research on these predators has shown that the image of mindless killing machines is starting to fade away. The cases of people attacked by the great white sharks are situated somewhere at 100 attacks. Most of the attacks of the great white sharks are not fatal. More recent research shows that great white sharks rather bite out of curiosity, than from a killing instinct.

The great white sharks are the third largest fish predators in the world. They grow to an average of 15 feet in length. Though, there are some specimens that exceed 20 feet and weigh up to 5000 pounds. The bodies of the great white sharks have a greyish colour that blends in with the coastal sea floor. This helps them to camouflage when they are hunting for food. The bodies of the great white sharks have the shape of a torpedo, with sleek lines. The great white sharks take their name after the colour of their underbellies.

Another feature that makes the great white sharks such interesting animals is their capacity to rip off the meat. The mouth of the great white sharks has more than 300 triangular teeth arranged in several rows. Although the great white sharks don’t have keen sight, they have special organs that detect the electromagnetic fields generated by animals. Their method of attacking is catching the prey from underneath and not letting it go. The main prey the great white sharks feast on consist in sea lions, small whales and even sea turtles.

The great white sharks are found in cool, coastal waters all throughout the world. Scientist and marine biologists agree that their number decreases by the day, due to overfishing and accidental catching in fish nets. Moreover, the great white sharks are on the endangered species list, and if poaching and fishing will continue, soon enough the great white sharks will be in danger of extinction.