1. Size and Shape: Great white sharks are among the largest predatory fish in the world. They can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) in length, with females being larger than males. They have a robust, streamlined body with a pointed snout and powerful jaws.
2. Coloration: Great white sharks have a distinctive color pattern. The dorsal (upper) side of their body is dark gray or brown, while the ventral (under) side is white. This coloration helps them camouflage themselves as they swim near the surface.
3. Jaws and Teeth: Great white sharks are renowned for their powerful jaws and razor-sharp teeth. They have several rows of serrated teeth, with the largest ones located in the front of their mouths. These teeth can be up to 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) long and are designed for cutting through flesh and bone.
4. Gills: Great white sharks have five gill slits on each side of their head, with the first four being longer than the fifth. These gill slits allow them to efficiently extract oxygen from the water as they swim.
5. Nose: Great white sharks have a well-developed sense of smell, with nostrils located on the underside of their snout. They can detect scents from long distances and use their sense of smell to locate prey.
6. Eyes: Great white sharks have large, round eyes that are positioned on the sides of their head. Their eyes are adapted for low-light conditions, allowing them to hunt in deep water or at night.
7. Dorsal Fin: Great white sharks have a large, triangular dorsal fin that is located near the center of their back. This fin can be seen breaking the surface of the water when they swim near the surface.
8. Liver: Like other sharks, great white sharks have a large liver that makes up to one-third of their body weight. The liver helps them maintain buoyancy and provides an energy reserve.
9. Teeth Replacement: Great white sharks continuously lose and replace their teeth throughout their lives. Each tooth is attached to a small muscle bundle that allows it to rotate forward when the original tooth is lost.
10. Migration: Great white sharks are migratory animals and can travel long distances in search of food and suitable habitats. They are known to make long migrations between feeding grounds and birthing areas.
11. Predatory Behavior: Great white sharks are apex predators and feed on a variety of marine mammals, fish, seabirds, and even other sharks. They are ambush predators and use their speed and powerful jaws to hunt and kill their prey.
12. Intelligence: Great white sharks are considered intelligent predators, capable of learning and adapting their hunting strategies based on experience. They are known to use different techniques to catch different types of prey.
These characteristics, among others, contribute to the great white shark's reputation as one of the most powerful and fascinating marine predators.