When a great white shark is born, along with up to a dozen siblings, it immediately swims away from its mother. Born on the east and west coasts of North America, the south of Africa and southwest Australia, baby sharks are on their own right from the start. Their mother may see them only as prey.
Natural Selection:
At birth, a baby great white shark is already about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long; as it grows, it may reach a length up to four times that. The pup (which is what a baby shark is called) will live its life at the top of the ocean’s food chain. But before it grows larger, the pup must avoid predators bigger than it is—including other great white sharks. Many baby sharks do not survive their first year. Young great white sharks eat fish (including other sharks) and rays. As they grow, the sharks’ favorite prey becomes sea mammals, especially sea lions and seals.
Adaptation:
Great white sharks are one of the most iconic creatures on the planet. These apex predators are renowned for their size, power, speed, and hunting abilities. However, there is much more to these fascinating creatures than meets the eye. Great white sharks have evolved over millions of years to become highly adapted to their environment, and they possess a range of adaptations that help them survive in the ocean. We will explore 10 of these adaptations and how they help great white sharks survive.
Research:
The great white shark was one of the species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae, in which it was identified as an amphibian and assigned the scientific name Squalus Carcharias, Squalus being the genus that he placed all sharks in. In 2006, Nyberg et al, did a morphometric analysis (a very detailed structure analysis). of various Carcharocles species, Mako species, transition fossils, and Great Whites. They concluded Great Whites evolved from ancestral Mako sharks and not the Megatooth sharks.
Evolutionary Process:
The evolutionary process of the great white shark stretches back millions of years, tracing its lineage to the ancient mackerel sharks of the Cretaceous period. These early ancestors, known as Lamniformes, were among the first to exhibit the streamlined bodies and powerful jaws that characterize modern great whites. Over time, these primitive sharks adapted to changing oceanic conditions, leading to the emergence of the genus *Carcharodon*.
Fossil evidence suggests that the Great White’s closest relatives include the now-extinct megalodon, a colossal predator that roamed the seas during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs. While the megalodon was significantly larger, both species share similar dental structures, indicating a common ancestry. The transition from megalodon to the modern great white involved adaptations that favored agility and efficiency over sheer size, allowing them to exploit a wider range of prey and habitats.
The development of serrated teeth was a significant evolutionary milestone for the great white, enhancing its ability to tear through the flesh of marine mammals. This adaptation, coupled with a highly developed sense of smell and acute vision, positioned the great white as a dominant predator. The evolutionary pressures of predation and competition have continually shaped the great white’s physiology, resulting in the efficient hunter we observe today.
About the Author
Giuliana Aleissa E. Avila is a Grade 4 student at St. Thomas More Montessori School in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. A passionate swimmer, Giuliana also has a deep love for storytelling. Her creative interests include writing short stories that explore friendships as well as imaginative tales featuring heroes and villains. At home, she enjoys spending time with her two beloved dogs, Choco and Toffee.