Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

Power and grace converge in the great white shark. It moves with unhurried certainty through cool coastal waters — every motion deliberate, every turn a quiet display of control. Its reputation precedes it, yet in person, there’s an unmistakable calm in its presence.

Scientific Snapshot

A great white shark gliding through sunlit blue water, its pale underside glowing as it moves with calm precision near the surface.

Scientific Name: Carcharodon carcharias

Common Names: Great white shark, white pointer, white shark

Average Size: Typically 4 to 5 meters (13–16 feet); females larger than males

Habitat: Coastal and offshore waters, especially in temperate zones

Diet: Marine mammals, large fish, and carrion

Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)

Range: Found in temperate and subtropical oceans worldwide, from South Africa to California and southern Australia

From the Field

The story…