All articles tagged with #great white sharks
Great white sharks in the Mediterranean are critically endangered due to illegal fishing and are being sold in North African markets, with over 40 sharks killed in 2025 alone. Despite international protections, enforcement is weak, and the ecosystem is heavily degraded, raising concerns about the species' potential extinction unless urgent conservation efforts are made.
Scientists in Mexico documented orcas hunting and eating the livers of young great white sharks, a behavior previously observed in other regions but now confirmed in Mexico, indicating a possible shift in orca predation patterns that could impact shark populations.
A pod of orcas in the Gulf of California has been observed hunting and devouring the livers of young great white sharks, indicating that orca predation on these sharks may be more common than previously thought, showcasing their advanced hunting strategies and social learning.
Researchers captured footage of orcas in the Gulf of California hunting juvenile great white sharks, flipping them upside down to extract their livers, demonstrating advanced hunting strategies and social learning among orcas, and highlighting that even top predators like sharks can be prey.
Researchers observed orcas in the Gulf of California repeatedly attacking juvenile great white sharks by flipping them upside down to induce tonic immobility, then extracting their livers, revealing a new and strategic predation behavior in this region.
Videos from Mexico reveal orcas hunting and eating the livers of young great white sharks, showcasing a specialized predation behavior that has been observed in other regions like South Africa. The behavior involves flipping sharks to induce tonic immobility, allowing orcas to extract the nutritious liver, and appears to be a learned, group-specific strategy that may be influenced by changing ocean conditions.
Scientists have discovered a DNA discrepancy in great white sharks that cannot be explained by migration or known genetic factors, leaving the cause of the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA differences an open scientific mystery.
Research on great white shark DNA reveals three distinct groups with genetic differences that cannot be explained by current evolutionary theories or female philopatry, suggesting an unknown evolutionary mechanism at play, and highlighting gaps in understanding shark genetics.
Scientists studying great white sharks have uncovered a perplexing genetic anomaly: significant differences in mitochondrial DNA across populations, with no clear explanation, deepening the mystery about their evolutionary history and migration patterns.
A recent study reveals an unexplained split in the DNA of great white sharks, with mitochondrial DNA differences not accounted for by migration or known behaviors, leaving scientists puzzled about the underlying cause of this genetic divergence.
Great white sharks, long the ocean's top predators, are now being preyed upon by orcas in Australian waters, marking a significant shift in marine predator dynamics. Evidence shows orcas targeting sharks' livers with surgical precision, which could lead to declines in shark populations and broader ecological impacts. This behavior, previously observed in South Africa, is spreading, indicating a potential change in the marine food chain.
Whale watchers near Cape Ann, 10 miles north of Gloucester, spotted two great white sharks, a rare and remarkable sighting according to naturalist Amanda Johnston.
Great white sharks have returned to Massachusetts waters, with recent sightings and bites on whales and seals. The New England Aquarium urges the public to be cautious and follow shark safety guidelines, especially with the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. The shark population in Cape Cod peaks in late summer due to the abundance of seals, their primary prey. Beachgoers are advised to stay aware of their surroundings and avoid areas with seals or schools of fish.
Researchers have discovered that great white sharks exhibit flexible behavior, adapting their movements and routines to suit their local environment and exploit feeding opportunities. By tagging 21 sharks and analyzing their behavior in different environments, the study found that sharks adjust their activity based on the availability of prey, with variations in movements observed between sharks from different areas. This newfound understanding of shark behavior could provide valuable insights into marine ecology and pave the way for further research using advanced tagging technology.
Marine scientists have discovered that juvenile great white sharks prefer warm and shallow waters close to the shore, gathering in "nurseries" off central California. The study, one of the largest and most detailed of its kind, used sensor-transmitters to track the sharks' movements and found that they dive to greater depths for foraging at dawn and dusk, while staying closer to the surface in the afternoon to increase body temperature. The research is crucial for the conservation of great white sharks, especially as ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, and for understanding their nursery behavior and habitat preferences.