Georgia’s beaches offer the perfect opportunity to relax and swim in the Atlantic Ocean during the warm seasons of summer and spring. The coastlines are home to a variety of ocean creatures, including sharks, that migrate towards the shore. Despite their reputation as deep-water predators, these creatures are an important part of the diverse ecosystem found along the coastline.
When it comes to encounters with humans, sharks are often a cause for concern, especially for those who venture too far from the shore. Among all the different species, the great white shark is considered the most dangerous. With its reputation as the largest predatory shark in the world, it’s no wonder why humans fear these creatures.
Easily recognizable by their torpedo-like shapes, dark bodies with white underbellies, and large jaws containing approximately 300 serrated teeth, the great white sharks are as dangerous as they appear. Occasionally, they are known to visit the coastlines of Georgia.
Introducing the biggest great white shark ever discovered along the coast of Georgia.
How Big Is a Great White?
This Article Includes
- 1 How Big Is a Great White?
- 2 Are Great Whites Aggressive?
- 3 What Do Great Whites Eat?
- 4 Where Do Great Whites Live?
- 5 What Is the Largest Great White Ever Found off Georgia’s Coast?
- 6 What Is the Largest Great White Ever Recorded?
- 7 Can a Human Outswim a Great White?
- 8 How Many Shark Attacks Have Happened off Georgia’s Coast?
Great whites hold the title of being one of the largest shark species on the planet. Their growth doesn’t cease until their death, but as they age, the rate of growth slows down. These massive predators have the ability to reach a maximum length of 16 feet and weigh a whopping 5,000 pounds.
It’s uncommon to come across a male great white shark that measures up to 25 feet in length since females of the species typically grow longer than their male counterparts. Anglers face a considerable challenge when trying to reel in these formidable predators from the vast expanse of the ocean.
Are Great Whites Aggressive?
The great white shark is renowned for being one of the most aggressive species of shark on the planet, earning the nickname “wolves of the sea”. Among other sharks, only the tiger and bull sharks come close to their ferocity. With their formidable reputation, great whites are considered one of the most fierce fish in the ocean, and there’s hardly any underwater creature they can’t take on.
What Do Great Whites Eat?
Great white sharks are known for their carnivorous diet. Despite the vast array of options available in the oceanic ecosystem, these massive predators are quite particular about their food choices. In order to sustain their large bodies, they target animals that are rich in nutrients. Due to this, they may not prey on a sea snake, unlike the tiger shark which is known to feed on almost anything it comes across, including garbage.
Great white sharks that are juveniles, typically measuring around six feet in length, primarily consume smaller marine animals such as stingrays and small fish. In contrast, adult great white sharks feed on much larger prey, including dolphins, seals, and occasionally, the carcasses of whales.
How Long Do Great White Sharks Live?
It’s fascinating to know that great white sharks have a lifespan of up to 60 years, with some living even longer. However, most shark species are slow growers, taking several years to mature fully. This slow growth rate means that sharks have a much slower reproductive rate compared to other fish species. Sharks give birth to only a few young, making them highly vulnerable to extinction.
How Do Great Whites Hunt?
Great white sharks are known for their exceptional hunting abilities. They are dangerous predators with remarkable speed, immense size, and an impressive bite force of around 4,000 PSI. These sharks are masters of surprise attacks and rely heavily on their exceptional sense of smell and electroreceptors to locate their prey. Once they spot their target, they would give chase and take a massive bite. However, contrary to popular belief, the feeding process does not begin at this point.
When the great white shark attacks its prey, it inflicts a serious injury that causes the prey to start losing blood. The shark then leaves its prey or follows it at a distance until it becomes weak. Once the prey stops moving or is dead, the great white shark feeds on it without any hesitation.
Where Do Great Whites Live?
Great white sharks are widely distributed in temperate and tropical seas, displaying high migratory patterns. They can be found in almost every part of the world’s oceans except for freshwater habitats. However, the bull shark is the only shark species that can survive in freshwater. In particular, great whites are abundant in South Africa, California, and Australia.
What Is the Largest Great White Ever Found off Georgia’s Coast?
Reports suggest that Georgia is not commonly associated with shark sightings or attacks. However, a recent discovery of a 13-foot male great white shark named Breton, found off the coast of Tybee Island, GA, has caught the attention of many. Weighing around 1,500 pounds, Breton is considered the largest great white shark ever found in the area. At more than twice the average human’s height, encountering this massive creature underwater would undoubtedly be a frightening experience.
What Is the Largest Great White Ever Recorded?
Deep Blue is recognized as the biggest recorded great white shark to date. Various news reports state that this female shark had a length of 20 feet and weighed more than 5,000 pounds. Despite being pregnant at the time of her weight estimation, Deep Blue remains the largest great white shark ever documented.
Can a Human Outswim a Great White?
In the vast ocean, great white sharks are incredibly fast and can reach speeds of up to 25 mph. In comparison, the average human can only reach a top speed of about five to six mph over a short distance. This means that humans are no match for these ocean predators when it comes to swimming. The great white’s powerful tail gives it the ability to dash at top speeds, and it can even breach the water surface to catch its prey.
How Many Shark Attacks Have Happened off Georgia’s Coast?
It is a widely known fact that great white sharks are responsible for most shark attacks on humans across the globe. Despite this, it is interesting to note that the number of shark attacks is not as high as one would expect. According to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), there have been less than 20 shark attacks in Georgia in the past century. Crunching the numbers, the likelihood of encountering a shark in Georgia’s coastal waters is incredibly low.
During the year 2021, the state of California witnessed only two shark attacks, and fortunately, both were non-fatal. These statistics are significantly low, especially when compared to states like Florida, which have reported almost 900 shark attacks.
