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Giraffe vs Great white shark

Giraffe vs great white shark
Giraffe is larger on weight
Giraffe is somewhat greater than great white shark on weight — about 1.2×.

A giraffe and a great white shark can be compared on 3 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
Giraffe Great white shark
Weight 700–1,930 kg 520–2,000 kg
Top speed 60 km/h 25–40 km/h
Typical lifespan 20–28 yr 50–73 yr

What the numbers say

  • Giraffe is somewhat greater than great white shark on weight — about 1.2×.
  • Giraffe is 1.5× great white shark on top speed.
  • Great white shark is 2.8× giraffe on typical lifespan.

Weight compared.

Giraffe 700–1,930 kg
Great white shark 520–2,000 kg

Giraffe

The tallest living animal; its neck holds the same seven vertebrae as a human neck.

Great white shark

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

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, giraffe or great white shark?
Giraffe is somewhat greater than great white shark on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do giraffes and great white sharks compare on top speed?
Giraffe: 60 km/h. Great white shark: 25–40 km/h. Giraffe is 1.5× great white shark on top speed.
How do giraffes and great white sharks compare on typical lifespan?
Giraffe: 20–28 yr. Great white shark: 50–73 yr. Great white shark is 2.8× giraffe on typical lifespan.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution
  2. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked