The "great blue shark" is a species of shark scientifically known as Prionace glauca. It is one of the largest shark species and is characterized by its striking blue coloration along its back and sides, which fades into a white belly. This shark is typically found in open waters of the world's oceans, preferring areas with temperatures between 12 and 24 degrees Celsius.
The great blue shark has a streamlined and slender body, allowing it to swim swiftly and efficiently through the water. It possesses a prominent, long, and pointed snout, along with large, black eyes positioned laterally on its head.
As an apex predator, the great blue shark primarily feeds on a variety of marine animals, including fish, squid, and occasionally seabirds. It uses its sharp, serrated teeth to capture and tear its prey apart. This species employs a hunting strategy known as "bump and bite," where it bumps its prey to immobilize it before delivering a lethal bite.
Great blue sharks are known for their migratory behavior, with individuals often traveling long distances across oceans. They are viviparous, meaning the females give birth to live young after internal development, typically producing a litter of around 20 to 50 pups. These pups quickly become independent and will grow rapidly, reaching maturity at around 5 to 6 years of age.
Due to its widespread distribution and relatively strong population, the great blue shark is listed as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Nonetheless, it faces threats from overfishing, habitat degradation, and unintentional capture in fishing gear.
