Carcharodon carcharias
Family
Lamnidae (Mackerel sharks or white shark)
Order
Lamniformes (mackerel sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays)
Maximum Size
720 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. published weight: 3,400.0 kg (Ref. 26340); max. reported age: 36 years
Environment
reef-associated; oceanodromous; brackish; marine ; depth range 0 - 1280 m
Climate
Subtropical; 60°N - 50°S, 180°W - 180°E
Importance
fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resiliance
Very low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.06; tm=8-12; tmax=36; Fec=7)
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Soutnern Atlantic, Newfoundland, Canada to Argentina; also north Gulf of Mexico
Biology
Primarily a coastal and offshore inhabitant of continental and insular shelves, but may also occur off oceanic islands far from land . Often close inshore to the surf line and even penetrates shallow bays. Usually solitary or in pairs but can be found in feeding aggregations of 10 or more; does not form schools. Feeds on bony fishes, sharks, rays, seals, dolphins and porpoises, sea birds, carrion, squid, octopi and crabs and whales. Ovoviviparous, embryos feeding on yolk sac and other ova produced by the mother. Caught by big-game anglers and line boats for its jaws. Reported to cause poisoning. Flesh is utilized fresh, dried-salted, and smoked for human consumption, the skin for leather, liver for oil, carcass for fishmeal, fins for shark-fin soup, and teeth and jaws for decorations . Possibly to 8 m in length, considered the world's largest predator with a broad prey spectrum.
