Great White Shark

Great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) are some of the most well-adapted predators in the ocean. Every part of their body is designed for one purpose: detecting, chasing, and capturing prey. Marine biologists study shark anatomy to understand how these animals survive in the cold, deep waters along coasts like Long Island and beyond.

The shark's head holds its most important sensory tools. The snout, or rostrum, contains the ampullae of Lorenzini — gel-filled pores that detect tiny electrical signals from the muscles of nearby fish and seals. The nostrils, located on the underside of the snout, are used only for smelling, not for breathing. A great white can detect one drop of blood in about 25 gallons of seawater. The eyes can roll backward into the socket for protection during an attack.

For swimming and breathing, sharks depend on their fins and gills. Water enters the mouth and passes over five pairs of gill slits, where oxygen is absorbed. Because great whites are ram ventilators, they must keep moving forward to push water over their gills. The large pectoral fins act like airplane wings, providing lift that keeps the shark from sinking. The first dorsal fin prevents the shark from rolling sideways, while the powerful caudal fin (tail) sweeps side to side to generate thrust.

Camouflage is also part of the design. Great whites display a pattern called countershading — dark gray on top and white below. From above, the dark back blends with the deep ocean. From below, the white belly blends with the bright surface. This makes the shark nearly invisible to seals swimming above.