Great White Sharks

The great white shark is one of the most famous predators in the ocean. It can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh over 4,000 pounds. Great whites have rows of sharp, triangular teeth. Despite their scary reputation, attacks on humans are very rare.

Built to Hunt

Great white sharks are incredible hunters. They can smell a drop of blood from over a mile away. They swim fast, reaching speeds of 25 miles per hour. When hunting seals, they sometimes leap completely out of the water in a move called breaching.

Misunderstood Animals

Great white sharks are often feared, but they rarely bother humans. Most shark encounters happen when a shark mistakes a surfer for a seal. Great whites are actually important for keeping the ocean healthy. They are now a protected species in many countries.

Fun Facts

• Great white sharks can have up to 300 teeth at one time, arranged in several rows.
• A great white can detect one drop of blood in 25 gallons of water.
• Great whites can breach, or jump completely out of the water, when hunting.

Did You Know?

Great white sharks never stop growing new teeth. They can go through over 20,000 teeth in their lifetime! When one tooth falls out, a new one moves forward to replace it.