How to Identify the Great White Shark

Perhaps no creature on the planet is more feared or misunderstood more than the great white shark. This oceanic predator is responsible for up to one half of the shark attacks on record. Great whites are built for attacking and due to the danger of an encounter with this fearsome creature, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basics of identifying it. Knowing the difference between a great white shark and a sand shark could be the difference between life and death.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Watch the dorsal fin break the surface of the water, sometimes up to 3 feet above the sea. The great white shark has a very large dorsal fin to help steer itself through the ocean waters. The dorsal fin is the fin atop the back of the shark that is often seen slicing through the water as it cruises near the water's surface.

2. Observe the incredible size of the great white shark. The great white is the stuff of legend and many reports of 30-foot sharks have been circulated but never confirmed. The truth is, most great whites are around 14 to 15 feet in length and weigh in around 3,000 lbs. Though it is unusual, specimens exceeding 20 feet and 5,000 lbs. have been confirmed.

3. Look at the long conical snout of the great white shark. This snout has developed over millions of years to streamline the great white shark into a very fast killing machine. The great white shark can easily hunt and eat just about anything in the ocean.

4. Observe the long caudal fins of the great white shark. The great white shark has nearly symmetrical caudal, or tail, fins that are used as a giant propeller. This powerful tail allows the shark to reach speeds of up to 15 mile per hour.

5. Note the hundreds of sharp, serrated teeth that the great white has as it opens its mouth for a bite. These teeth are incredible works of nature in that they are built to rip and tear flesh from prey. The great white has literally thousands of these teeth lined over several rows in its mouth. When the great white loses one, a new tooth simply slides into place. These teeth are accompanied by an incredible bite pressure so the bite is devastating.

6. View the slate gray back of the great white shark when viewing this magnificent creature from above. The reason for this color is so that the great white blends in with the ocean floor. This allows the great white to sneak up on its prey from below without being detected.

7. Note that the great white is named for its creamy white underbelly. This feature of the shark is very distinct in most specimens and is one of the easiest ways to identify a young great white. Due to its massive size, the great white is not often confused for any other shark.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that the great white shark is actually endangered and killing one is against the law in most places.
• Never swim in water that is known to have great white sharks. Never enter the water when you are bleeding in any way. Never swim at night, as this is the primary hunting time for sharks.