The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is the ocean’s largest predatory fish and a powerful symbol of marine prowess. Named for its pale underbelly contrasting with a slate-grey back, this shark uses countershading to ambush prey from below. An adult great white can reach up to 6 m (20 ft) and weigh as much as 3,000 kg (6,600 lb). One tagged male, nicknamed “Contender,” measured nearly 14 ft and weighed around 1,700 lb—one of the largest ever recorded in the Atlantic, recently tracked off North Carolina. These sharks can accelerate to speeds of approximately 15 mph (24 km/h), while bursts may reach up to 35 mph (56 km/h) when close to prey.

Endothermic for their kind, great whites can maintain a body temperature above ambient water, enabling them to venture into colder regions. Their jaws contain roughly 300 serrated, triangular teeth capable of tearing flesh—backed by a bite force up to 1.8 metric tons. Exceptionally acute senses—especially smell, with detection thresholds as low as one drop of blood in 100 L—help them locate prey over long distances.

Great whites are opportunistic predators. Juveniles tend to feed on fish and rays, while adults primarily hunt marine mammals—seals, sea lions, dolphins, and even smaller whales. They employ stealth tactics beneath their prey and strike from camouflage. In California, for example, they disable elephant seals with targeted bites and wait for them to bleed before consuming. Females mature at 12–14 years (13–16 ft), and males at 9–10 years (11.5–14.5 ft). Gestation lasts 12–22 months and yields 2–14 pups per litter. Newborns are 1.2–1.5 m long and self-sufficient at birth. They inhabit coastal regions and open oceans, including an offshore hotspot known as the “White Shark Café” between Baja California and Hawai'i

As keystone predators, great whites help maintain healthy marine ecosystems by controlling populations of sea lions, seals, and other mid-tier predators. However, they are listed as vulnerable, with populations declining due to overfishing, bycatch, and habitat disruption. Conservation efforts, including satellite tagging and international protections, are helping to better understand migration patterns and critical habitats. OCEARCH’s tagged Atlantic male “Contender”—approximately 14 ft and 1,653 lb—was recently observed off the North Carolina coast as it migrates to summer foraging areas. Tracking technology provides real-time insights into this shark’s seasonal journey, which can exceed 1,000 miles and underscores the critical need to protect migratory corridors.