Why is the great white shark a mackerel shark?

The Great White Shark is not a mackerel shark. It belongs to the family Lamnidae, which includes other large sharks like the mako shark and the salmon shark.

Mackerel sharks, on the other hand, belong to the family Lamnidae, which includes species like the shortfin mako shark, the longfin mako shark, and the porbeagle.

While both families belong to the order Lamniformes, they are distinct groups with different characteristics and evolutionary histories.

Here's a breakdown of the differences:

Great White Shark:

* Family: Lamnidae

* Characteristics: Large size, distinctive white underside, powerful jaws, and a torpedo-shaped body.

* Known for: Being an apex predator in its ecosystem and its cultural significance.

Mackerel Sharks:

* Family: Lamnidae

* Characteristics: Generally smaller than Great Whites, streamlined bodies, and fast swimmers.

* Known for: Their speed, agility, and ability to make long migrations.

So, while both Great Whites and mackerel sharks share a common ancestor, they are not considered to be within the same family or even genus.