Great White Shark: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Shark Week · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. A great white's liver can weigh more than a quarter of its body mass. It stores energy and helps the shark float.
2. Great whites are partly warm-blooded: special blood vessels warm parts of their body, so they can hunt in cool water.
3. In one study of catch records, the longest reliably measured great white was 6.02 m, and the heaviest 2,530 kg.
4. Even apex hunters can become prey: great whites are occasionally taken by killer whales.
5. Great whites mostly live alone, but they gather in groups at feeding sites and may use body language to sort out who is boss.

The quiz

1. How much of its body mass is a great white's liver?

• About a hundredth
• More than a quarter (correct)
• Less than a tenth
• Exactly half

Its liver can weigh more than a quarter of its total mass.

2. What is unusual about great whites' body temperature?

• They are fully cold-blooded
• They are warmer only at night
• They match the water exactly
• They are partially warm-blooded (correct)

Great whites are partly warm-blooded: they warm parts of their body.

3. In one study of catch records, how long was the longest reliably measured great white?

• 6.02 m (correct)
• 3.5 m
• 4.6 m
• 8.5 m

The longest reliably measured great white in that study was 6.02 m.

4. Which animal occasionally preys on great whites?

• Sperm whales
• Giant squid
• Killer whales (correct)
• Hammerhead sharks

Great whites are occasionally taken by killer whales.

5. What do great whites sometimes do at feeding sites?

• Hunt in permanent packs
• Gather in groups (correct)
• Leave at once
• Rest on the seabed

They mostly live alone but gather in groups at feeding sites.

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