1. Locating Prey:
* Keen Senses: Great whites have exceptional senses of smell, sight, and electroreception. They can detect prey from miles away using their incredible sense of smell, which allows them to pinpoint the location of blood, fish oils, and other chemicals released by potential meals.
* Sight: They also have excellent vision, which allows them to spot prey in murky water or from a distance.
* Electroreception: Using specialized pores on their snout called ampullae of Lorenzini, they can detect the faint electrical fields generated by the muscle contractions of nearby fish.
2. The Ambush:
* Stealthy Approach: Great whites are masters of stealth. They often approach their prey slowly and silently, using their powerful tails to propel themselves without making much noise.
* The Surprise Attack: Once close enough, they launch a sudden and explosive attack, often using their tail to propel them upwards from below, creating a powerful surge that can disorient their target.
3. The Bite:
* Powerful Jaws: Great whites possess incredibly powerful jaws, capable of generating thousands of pounds of pressure. They have rows of razor-sharp teeth, designed to tear through flesh and bone.
* The "Shake and Tear": Once they grab their prey, they use a powerful "shake and tear" motion with their jaws, ripping off large chunks of flesh. This technique often results in a fatal wound that quickly incapacitates their victim.
4. The Hunt Continues:
* Persistence: If the prey is not immediately killed, great whites are persistent hunters. They may continue to harass their victim until it is weakened enough to be killed.
* Scavenging: Great whites are also opportunistic scavengers. They are known to feed on carcasses of whales, seals, and other animals.
Specific Prey Targeting:
Great whites are not picky eaters, and their diet includes a wide variety of marine animals:
* Seals: One of their main prey items, particularly harbor seals and grey seals.
* Sea lions: Similar to seals, they are a common target for great whites.
* Fish: Larger fish like tuna, sharks, and rays are also part of their diet.
* Seabirds: They have been known to attack and eat seabirds, such as albatrosses.
It's important to note that great white sharks are apex predators, and their role in the ecosystem is crucial. They help to maintain balance by controlling populations of other marine animals.