The great white shark is one of the most fascinating and terrifying creatures on Earth. It is a predator that is at the top of the food chain and has captured the imaginations of people around the world. While many people have seen great white sharks in movies or on TV, few have ever seen one in real life. Even fewer have seen the largest great white shark ever recorded.
The largest great white shark ever recorded was a female named “Deep Blue.” She was caught on camera by a team of researchers in 2014 off the coast of Mexico’s Guadalupe Island. At the time of her sighting, Deep Blue was estimated to be around weighed up to 5,000 pounds, 50 years old, and measured around 20 feet in length. Her size and age make her the largest great white shark ever recorded.
Deep Blue’s size was not the only thing that was impressive about her. She was also known for her calm and curious demeanor. Many people who have encountered great white sharks describe them as ᴀɢɢʀᴇssɪᴠᴇ and unpredictable, but Deep Blue seemed to be different. She approached the research vessel with a sense of curiosity and seemed to enjoy the attention of the researchers.
Marine biologist Mauricio Hoyos Padilla was conducting research with his team when they spotted Deep Blue swimming around their boat. He recalled to Surfer Today that she was ‘the biggest female I have ever seen in my life.
” On the second day, I was in the water, and we had to wait. But all of a sudden, there she came. Deep Blue was very calm and just doing circles around us. That’s when we realized how big she was. “
Despite the large shark circling their boat, Maier said that ‘Everything was very well prepared, and the whole team felt safe.’
Fortunately, videographer and diving enthusiast Michael Maier was also on board and was able to capture the historic moment on camera.
It’s thought Deep Blue may have been pregnant when first discovered, as female great while tend to remain in solitude at high depths until they are ready to give birth, according to Surf Researcher.
” This gentle giant swam up and brushed up against our boat repeatedly. There is a theory that large females come here when they are possibly pregnant, trailing whales. There was a ᴅᴇᴀᴅ sperm whale in the area and we did observe her from a distance swimming over to it and eating it on a regular basis throughout the day. “
Despite their notoriety for being ᴅᴀɴɢᴇʀᴏᴜs sharks, Deep Blue does not have an ᴀɢɢʀᴇssɪᴠᴇ personality, according to experts. The shark got her name from Discovery Channel diver Mauricio Hoyos Padilla, who swam with the creature as part of a Shark Week documentary.
The size of these great white sharks is both impressive and terrifying. It is a reminder of the power of nature and the incredible creatures that inhabit our oceans. While many people fear great white sharks, they play an important role in our ecosystem. They help to keep populations of other marine animals in check and are an important part of the food chain.
Despite their importance, great white sharks are facing a number of ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴛs. Overfishing, pollution, and climate change are all having an impact on their populations. It is important that we take steps to protect these creatures and the ocean ecosystems that they inhabit. As we continue to explore and study the ocean, it is important that we work to protect great white sharks and the many other creatures that call the ocean home.