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Carcharadon carcharias
Vulnerable.
White Sharks have a torpedo-shaped body, coloured grey to grey-brown on the upper surface and white below. They have large, serrated triangular teeth, very small second dorsal and anal fins, and a distinct keel before the broad crescent-shaped tail. The mouth contains large, serrated and triangular teeth.
They are occasionally mistaken for the Mako Shark, but the Mako's upper body is blue and they have long slender pointed teeth.
White Sharks measure around 120-150 cm at birth and can grow to at least 6 m in length, although there are unconfirmed reports of individuals up to 7 m.
White Sharks are found throughout the world in temperate and subtropical oceans, with a preference for cooler waters, which includes the coastal waters of NSW.
White Sharks are typically found from inshore habitats (e.g. islands, rocky reefs and shallow coastal bays) to the outer continental shelf and slope areas. Within Australian waters, the majority of recorded White Shark movements occur between the coast and the 100 metre depth contour; however both adults and juveniles have been recorded diving to depths of over 1,200 m. Individuals may travel long distances in a relatively short time, but can remain in the same area for weeks or even months. In NSW, the Stockton Beach/Hawks Nest area has been identified as a primary residency region for juvenile White Sharks.