Great White Shark

The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is the world's largest predatory fish, reaching up to 6 meters and 2,000 kg. A more ancient lineage than dinosaurs — sharks have existed for 450 million years — the great white is perfectly adapted to its role as apex predator. It can detect one drop of blood in 100 liters of water and sense electric fields from living animals through specialized organs. Despite their fearsome reputation (partly perpetuated by the movie Jaws), great whites kill an average of 5–6 humans per year — far fewer than cows, bees, or hippopotamuses. Humans kill 100 million sharks annually. Great whites are now classified as Vulnerable and are essential to maintaining ocean ecosystem health.