Author: Morgan Cadle
What to Expect of the Great White Shark in South Africa
The water around South Africa is one of the world’s prime locations for observing Great White Sharks. They are commonly spotted from May to October which coincides with the aggregation of seals, which in one of their primary food sources.
They can be observed hunting seals, particularity near Seal Island in False Bay and Dyer Island. Observers from a boat have the opportunity to witness these incredible creatures engage in activities such as breaching, tail flapping, spy hopping (where they lift their heads out of the water to possibly look for prey), and swimming fast, reaching speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour. While it is rare because of their elusive behaviour, they could be spotted engaging in mating and calving.
The Great White Shark, also known as Carcharodon carcharias, is an infamous apex predator that, over the years—mostly because of countless movies—has been the subject of both fascination and fear. This incredible creature is another well-known marine creature that can be found along the coastlines of South Africa.
It got its common name from its striking appearance. ‘Great’ refers to its impressive size, as these sharks can grow to be among the largest predatory fish in the ocean. ‘White’ is a reference to the shark’s underbelly, which unlike its darker top, is white allowing it to blend into the ocean. Its scientific name, Carcharodon carcharias, is Greek and can be broken up into the genus name ‘Carcharodon’ and its species name ‘carcharias’. The genus name comes from the words ‘karcharos,’ which means ‘sharp’ or ‘jagged,’ and ‘odous,’ meaning ‘tooth.’ This is a direct reference to this shark’s most distinctive feature: its large, serrated teeth. The species name comes from the Greek word ‘karcharías,’ meaning ‘shark.’
The Great White Shark has a fairly long lifespan, typically living between 30 to 40 years, but there are some studies that indicate that they could live longer, potentially up to 70 years or more. The oldest one that has been recorded was estimated to be around 73 years old, which was made through a study conducted by scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and published in 2014.
These sharks are among the largest predatory fish in the ocean, with adult females usually measuring between 4.5 to 6.4 meters in length and can weigh between 680 to 1,100 kilograms. The males are slightly smaller, averaging around 3.4 to 4.0 meters in length and weigh between 520 to 770 kilograms.
Distribution and Migration
Great White Sharks can be found in the coastal waters of all major oceans. There most notable locations include the coasts of South Africa, Australia, California, and the northeastern United States. They are also seen around Japan, the Mediterranean, and New Zealand.
The sightings of these sharks vary by location, but people in South Africa have the best chance to see them from May to October.
The Great White Sharks is very migratory, traveling vast distance across oceans driven by certain factors such as food availability, breeding, and seasonal water temperature changes. Their migratory patterns involve moving seasonally to coastal areas where they have abundant amount of prey. They undertake long-distance journeys between regions like California to Hawaii and South Africa to Australia.
Breeding and Gestation
During their mating season, the male sharks attract the females through a combination of behaviours and physical interactions. Specific details about their mating rituals are still not fully understood due to the elusive nature of these sharks, but several key behaviours have been observed. These include biting and nipping at the female’s pectoral fins or flanks, and swimming in patterns to display their strength and dominance. They also follow females for long periods of time, and this proximity will allow them to engage in courtship behaviours and signal his intent to mate.
Once the female is pregnant, her gestation period will last around 11 to 12 months, after which they can give birth to a litter of live young, which ranges between 2 to 10 pups. The female will then wait another 2 to 3 years before having more pups. The Great White Shark’s pups are relatively large compared to other shark species, with the newborns typically measuring between 1.2 to 1.5 meters in length and weighing 30 to 40 kilograms.
Feeding Habits
The Great White Shark is an apex predator, which means that they have very few natural enemies, putting them on top of the food chain. They have powerful jaws and serrated teeth, which help them slice through the flesh and bone of their prey with great ease. They use a range of hunting strategies, including ambush attacks from below, aided by their countershading camouflage to remain unseen by prey until the last moment.
They have a diet that mainly consists of marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and small whales. They can also be seen preying on fish, including other sharks, and occasionally whale carcasses.
Common Habits
Observers of the Great White Shark witness a number of common habits exhibited by this species. These sharks are generally solitary animals but can be seen in the same area of other sharks. They engage in surface swimming, which means they swim near the surface of the water, allowing for a better view for viewers, but for them, this allows them to better spot potential prey. They are also known to breach out of the water, and today it is still one of their most spectacular behaviours.
These sharks are highly curious creatures and will often use their mouths to investigate nearby objects in their environment. This behaviour is known as ‘test biting,’ and while it can be dangerous for humans, it is worth noting that it is not an aggressive act. They can also display curiosity towards boats, often approaching and circling them, they can also bump or nudge the boat.
Conservation Status
Today, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the Great White Shark as ‘Vulnerable’ on their Red List. The threats to this apex predator’s population are not from any other animal in their environment but from activities brought about by humans. The threats they are still facing include overfishing, habitat degradation, and accidently being captured in fishing gear. They are also victims of illegal hunting and trading. This, along with their slow reproductive rate and late maturity, makes them particularly vulnerable to population declines.
