Species FishGreat White Shark

Great White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

RareFish
Illustration of Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
Safety note: One of the few sharks considered potentially dangerous to people. Never enter the water where great whites are hunting, and observe only from a safe distance.

The largest predatory fish on Earth and the ocean's most famous shark, reaching over 20 feet. It ambushes prey with a burst of speed from below. Despite its reputation, attacks on people are rare and usually a case of mistaken identity.

Habitat
Cool and temperate coastal waters, especially near seal and sea lion colonies on both US coasts.
Diet
Seals, sea lions, fish, and other sharks; scavenges whale carcasses.
How common
Rare
Huck Podcast · Ep. 4The 12 Days That Invented Jaws: the true story of the Great White SharkWatch or listen · 15 min

Best time to see a Great White Shark

The best time to see a Great White Shark is April–August, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 423 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Recent Great White Shark sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Great White Shark? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Great White Shark is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love fish? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More fish

Greater Amberjack
Greater Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Greater Weever
Greater Weever
Trachinus draco
Green Damselfish
Green Damselfish
Amblyglyphidodon indicus
Green Moray
Green Moray
Gymnothorax funebris
Green Sturgeon
Green Sturgeon
Acipenser medirostris
Green Sunfish
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Green Swordtail
Green Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Greenside Darter
Greenside Darter
Etheostoma blennioides