Distribution:

Cosmopolitan, mostly amphitemperate. Western Atlantic: Newfoundland, Canada to Argentina; also north Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba and Lesser Antilles. Eastern Atlantic: France to South Africa, including the Mediterranean. Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Seychelles, South Africa; also Reunion and Mauritius. Western Pacific: Siberia to New Zealand and the Marshall Is.; also south Australia. Central Pacific: Hawaii. Eastern Pacific: Alaska to Chile.

Diagnosis:

Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. A huge, spindle-shaped shark with conspicuous black eyes, a blunt, conical snout and large, triangular, saw-edged teeth. Caudal fin crescentic. Lead-grey to brown or black above, lighter on sides, and abruptly white below. Black spot at rear pectoral fin base.

Biology:

Primarily a coastal and offshore inhabitant of continental and insular shelves, but may also occur off oceanic islands far from land. Often close inshore to the surfline and even penetrates shallow bays. Usually solitary or in pairs but can be found in feeding aggregations of 10 or more; does not form schools. Feeds on bony fishes, sharks, rays, seals, dolphins and porpoises, sea birds, carrion, squid, octopi and crabs and whales. Reported by some experts to attack humans which they mistake for their normal prey. Most attacks occur in estuaries. Caught by big-game anglers and line boats for its jaws. Reported to cause poisoning . Flesh is utilized fresh, dried-salted, and smoked for human consumption, the skin for leather, liver for oil, carcass for fishmeal, fins for shark-fin soup, and teeth and jaws for decorations. Possibly to 8 m in length, considered the world's largest predator with a broad prey spectrum. The record of 10.98 m is incorrect . Sometimes considered the most dangerous shark in the world.

Max. size: 720.0 cm

Max.weight: 3,400 Kg

Environment: pelagic; depth range 0 - 1280 m

Climate: subtropical; 60°N - 50°S

Canary Islands country information: [ No common name ]