Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

A great white shark swimming

Great white sharks are widely feared as the most dangerous of man-eaters, but they are at far greater risk from us than we from them. They are responsible for about 5-10 attacks a year.

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Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animal (animalia)

Phylum: Chordate (Chordata)

Class: Chondrichthyes

Order: Lamniformes

Family: Lamnidae

Genus: Carcharodon

Species: Great white shark (carcharias)

Common Names

  • White death
  • White pointer
  • White shark

Where can I see them?

They can be found in the following habitats:

Conservation Status

The Great white shark is Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Population trend: Unknown

Year assessed: 2005

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