Great Whites Teeth
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Hi Friends, Here we are looking at the teeth of the Great White shark. We actively aide schools and children in their studies so if you require photos or video for educational purposes contact paul@diveplanet.co.nz |
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Sharks Teeth, Tooth Formation
There is up to three rows of teeth and the smaller back row is curved downward into the jaw's gum lining. These are constantly growing to be rotated into position when required.
When a Great White breaks a tooth another is ready to take its place as it takes only 24 hours for the replacement tooth to be formed. The Great Whites are covered in battle scars from other sharks, as it is a fact that they bite each other to show dominance. Also, the males bite onto the females during mating rituals.
Here above you can easily see the seratted edges of the great white shark teeth. Photo by Paul Morris during the making of Ultimate Shark with National Geographic.
The Great Whites teeth and jaws fetch a high price and that has added to the threat of extinction of these sharks. Hunting of Great whites is now an offence in New Zealand as they are now a protected species.
Tooth Replacement Rate
Tooth Replacement Rate of Carcharodon carcharias (Linneaus, 1758)
ABSTRACT: Analysis of 31 jaws of Carcharodon carcharias, from specimens ranging in total length from 143.5 to 460.9 cm, finds a range in tooth replacement rate of the Second Lateral tooth family of (Upper/Lower) 106.24/113.59 days for young individuals to 225.90/242.18 days for old individuals using the Strasburg Plot Method.
The Second Lateral tooth family of the upper and lower jaws gives the best estimates of tooth replacement rate. Upper and lower jaws demonstrate fluctuating asymmetry within the number of tooth positions. The range in dental formulae of the upper/lower jaw for this sample is: 11 to 15 - 0 - 12 to 14 / 11 to 16 - 0 - 11 to 15. One male (NOAA-NMFS Tag #610, TL 149.5 cm) taken off New Jersey in the Northwest Atlantic, has a very minute parasymphysial tooth in the upper right jaw.
This is the first report of a parasymphysial tooth present in a White Shark and is considered here as an atavistic character. Using the tooth replacement rate of 106.24 days/tooth, and previous reports of near term White Shark embryos with 3 to 4 full tooth sets present in their alimentary canals, an estimate of when tooth replacement begins prior to parturition and therefore a minimum estimate of gestation period for the White Shark can be calculated as 425 days.
Information provided by John C Bruner
Shark Teeth Photos
 When the great white Shark goes in to attack the upper jaw will burst forwards exposing all the gums. You can see here the 3 rows of teeth that the Great White Shark has.
The New Zealand Government supports the protection of the Great White shark yet it does little to educate the people of our country about the Great White shark.
As well as this it seems hell bent on still supporting shark fining. This seems to be a huge contradiction and it is obvious we need to apply more pressure to the New Zealand Government to aid in stopping this outrageous behaviour. Take action ( Be Heard, Be Loud, Stop the slaughter of our sharks)
Researched by Paul Morris
 Notice how the gums are not exposed? When a Great White goes in to attack they do two things. Firstly they extend thier top jaw out, here you would see the gum and the second thing they do is roll thier eyes back for self protection. This guy was merely showing off his pearly white teeth.
Great White Sharks Jaw
 The jaws that are in this shark are truly remarkable as they consist of three rows of teeth. When the shark damages or breaks a tooth there is already another tooth ready to cycle back into this place. When it goes in to take the intended prey the lower jaw drops as the upper jaw protrudes forward. The teeth in the lower jaw hold the prey in place as the upper jaw slams shut tearing up to 15kg of flesh in a single bite. They can also consume over 200kg of food in one feeding session.
The signature bite of the Great White is made possible by the fact that unlike humans the upper jaw is not fused. The jaw freely moves just below the brain casing powered by an enormous muscle structure. Having double-edged serrated teeth combined with a power bite of more than 340kg easily explains how this formidable mouth can inflict so much damage.
Researched by Paul Morris |
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Online Resources
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Shark Dive Eco Wear
This clothing range is produced from Eco material that includes cotton and Bamboo fibres. Once you wear these shirts you will not want to take them off
Shark Dive Tours
Come and see the Great White sharks from the safety of our purpose built cages. We run shark diving tours at the Chatham Islands NZ
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