At One Place

How long does a great white shark last?

Typical lifespan
50–73 yr

The largest predatory fish, and the species responsible for most unprovoked shark bites on humans.

Radiocarbon ageing pushed the estimate far above older figures.

How that compares

Great white shark against things of a similar time.

Blue whale 70–90 yr
Great white shark 50–73 yr
Saltwater crocodile 65–100 yr
Whale shark 60–130 yr
African elephant 50–70 yr
Asian elephant 48–70 yr
Sperm whale 60–70 yr
Japanese spider crab 50–100 yr

What that means over time

Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.
Period How many you would buy
Per year 0.0143 replacements
Over 10 years 1 of them
Over a 30-year mortgage 1 of them

Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.

More about a great white shark

Common questions

How long does a great white shark last?
A great white shark lasts 50–73 yr. Radiocarbon ageing pushed the estimate far above older figures.

Related pages

Sources

  1. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked