The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias), also
known as the white shark, white pointer, or simply great white, is a
species of large mackerel shark which can be found in the coastal surface
waters of all the major oceans. It is notable for its size, with larger
female individuals growing to 6.1 m (20 ft) in length and 1,905 to 2,268
kg (4,200 to 5,000 lb) in weight at maturity. However, most are smaller;
males measure 3.4 to 4.0 m (11 to 13 ft), and females measure 4.6 to 4.9 m
(15 to 16 ft) on average.
According to a 2014 study, the lifespan of great white sharks is estimated
to be as long as 70 years or more, well above previous estimates, making
it one of the longest lived cartilaginous fishes currently known.
According to the same study, male great white sharks take 26 years to
reach sexual maturity, while the females take 33 years to be ready to
produce offspring. Great white sharks can swim at speeds of 25 km/hr (16
mph) for short bursts and to depths of 1,200 m (3,900 ft).