Great white sharks are formidable ocean predators, inspiring both awe and curiosity. Their immense size often leads to questions about the largest individuals ever encountered. The quest to identify the biggest great white shark involves both scientific inquiry and anecdotal claims.
Understanding Great White Size
Great white shark size is primarily measured by length, though weight can also be a factor. Adult male great white sharks typically range from 3.4 to 4.0 meters (11 to 13 feet) in length, while females are generally larger, averaging 4.6 to 4.9 meters (15 to 16 feet). The largest scientifically confirmed female specimens have reached lengths of up to 6.1 meters (20 feet) and an estimated weight of around 1,905 kilograms (4,200 pounds). Some reports suggest females can grow even larger, potentially up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds).
The largest preserved female specimen measured 5.83 meters (19.1 feet) in length and weighed approximately 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds). Another reliably measured great white was a 5.94-meter (19.5-foot) specimen from Western Australia in 1987. A female caught off Prince Edward Island in 1988 was verified by the Canadian Shark Research Center at 6.1 meters (20 feet) long.
The Most Famous Large Great Whites
Several great white sharks have gained notoriety for their exceptional size, though their measurements often come with varying degrees of confirmation. One of the most famous is “Deep Blue,” a female great white estimated to be 6.1 meters (20 feet) or larger. She was filmed off Guadalupe Island, Mexico, in 2013 and later gained viral attention in 2015. Deep Blue was sighted again in 2019 off Oahu, Hawaii. While widely considered one of the largest, some estimates for Deep Blue’s size are smaller, ranging between 5.5 and 5.8 meters (18 and 19 feet).
Historical claims sometimes involve even larger figures, though many lack scientific verification. For instance, reports of a 6.4-meter (21-foot) great white caught off Cuba in 1945, often referred to as the “Coffin Shark,” were initially considered reliable. However, later studies indicated this specimen was likely closer to 4.9 meters (16 feet). Similarly, past Guinness World Records listed sharks of 10.9 meters (36 feet) and 11.3 meters (37 feet), but these were later disproven. The 10.9-meter shark was re-evaluated to be around 5 meters, and the 11.3-meter shark was identified as a misidentified basking shark.
Why Confirming “Biggest” Is Hard
Accurately determining the exact size of the largest great white shark presents significant challenges for researchers. The elusive nature of large individuals in their natural marine environment makes direct measurement extremely difficult. Unlike controlled settings, free-swimming great whites cannot be easily restrained or precisely measured.
Scientists often rely on visual estimates or comparisons with known objects, like a 3.3-meter research cage, to approximate size. These methods can introduce inaccuracies due to varying angles, distances, and the shark’s movement. The practical difficulties and potential for human error mean that while good estimates exist, pinpointing a definitive “biggest” great white shark may always remain elusive.