Fascinating Sea Predator: The Great White Shark off the Coast of South Africa (00015366)

Description: The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a fascinating sea predator that prowls near Geyser Rock and Dyer Island off the coast of South Africa. Here, African penguins, cormorants, many other seabirds, and a large colony of South African fur seals reside. The surface hunter often finds its prey on the water surface. The super-robber Great White Shark with its size, strength, and fearsome jaws poses a permanent danger to the South African fur seals. The Great White Shark belongs to the mackerel shark family and has very large gill slits and long pectoral fins. The largest Great White Shark ever caught measured 6.4 meters in length and weighed an estimated 1500 kg. In order to catch larger prey, the upper jaw is movable and can be pushed forward. Lost or damaged teeth are effortlessly replaced throughout its lifetime. The Great White Shark is the top predator in the food chain and plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in the ocean.

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

Date of Capture: 02.08.2004