Sharks are among the oldest animals on earth. They have existed for 400 million years in the oceans. (00010430)

Description: Great White Shark, also known as Carcharodon carcharias, is a fascinating apex predator of the oceans. This majestic creature roams the waters near Geyser Rock and Dyer Island off the coast of South Africa. Sharing its habitat with African penguins, cormorants, and a variety of other seabirds, as well as a large colony of South African fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus), the Great White Shark utilizes its size, strength, and fearsome jaws to hunt the South African fur seals around Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. A deep-sea attack is a spectacle as the Great White Shark accelerates rapidly upwards. With sharp triangular teeth in the upper jaw and needle-like teeth in the lower jaw, its mouth is notorious and dreaded. Its adaptable nature is evident in the flexibility of its upper jaw, which can be pushed forward to catch large prey. The remarkable ability of the Great White Shark to effortlessly replace lost or damaged teeth contributes to its role as a top predator maintaining the ecological balance in the ocean. Despite their millennia-old existence, much remains unknown about the behavior and habitat of these fascinating creatures. There is an urgent need to protect the Great White Shark from the threat of human activity to ensure its survival.

Location: Western Cape, Gansbaai/Dyer Island, South Africa

Date of Capture: 10.07.2002