Suddenly there is movement in the peaceful picture and a Great White Shark breaks through the water surface. Its mouth is open and the white underside of its body shines in the dark water. (00001573)

Description: The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) emerges with its mouth open from the opaque water. Its sharp triangular teeth are feared and with the movable upper jaw it is able to hunt large prey, too. African penguins, cormorants, and a large colony of South African fur seals live here. The surface hunter often finds its prey on the water surface. The super-robber Great White Shark with its size, strength, and fearsome jaws is a permanent danger to the South African fur seals around Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. The Great White Shark belongs to the family of mako sharks and has very large gill slits and long pectoral fins. The largest Great White Shark ever caught had a length of 6.4 meters and an estimated weight of 1500 kg. In making a surprise attack from the depths, they accelerate so fast that they sometimes shoot out of the water. The jaws of the Great White Shark with their sharp triangular teeth in the upper jaw and the pointed tusks in the lower jaw are notorious and dreaded. In order to be able to catch larger prey, the upper jaw is loose and can be pushed forward. Lost or damaged teeth are replaced without any problem for a lifetime. The Great White Shark is the top robber of the food chain and fulfills an important task in conserving the ecological balance in the ocean. There is very little known about their behavior and habitat. The Great White Shark exists almost unchanged for millions of years and has adjusted optimally to its environment. But now there is a danger that it will be exterminated by us humans.

Location: Western Cape, Gansbaai/Dyer Island, South Africa

Date of Capture: 11.05.2001