Do great white sharks change sex?

Yes, great white sharks are known to be sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they can change their sex during their lifetime. They start as males, but when they reach a certain size or age, they can transition into females. This process is called sex reversal, and it is triggered by a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors.

The primary factor influencing sex change in great white sharks is size. Females are typically larger than males, and once a male reaches a certain size, he may begin to develop female reproductive organs. This process can take several years, and it is thought to be driven by a decrease in the production of testosterone and an increase in the production of estrogen.

Environmental factors can also play a role in sex reversal. For example, if there are more males than females in a population, some of the males may change sex to increase their chances of finding a mate. Additionally, changes in water temperature or food availability can affect the sex ratios of a population, which can, in turn, influence sex reversal.

Social factors, such as dominance hierarchies, can also influence sex reversal in great white sharks. Dominant males are more likely to mate with females, so some males may change sex to increase their chances of becoming dominant.

Sex reversal is a complex and poorly understood process, and there is still much that scientists do not know about it. However, it is clear that this phenomenon is an important part of great white shark biology and plays a role in maintaining the species' population dynamics.