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Juvenile Great White Sharks Prefer Shallow Coastal Waters for Nurseries

Recent studies reveal that young great whites are drawn to warmer, shallower waters close to shore, impacting both conservation efforts and public safety.

Image
A juvenile great white shark is pictured swimming near the surface of the water. The young animals have been found to prefer shallow waters close to shore, scientists found.
A juvenile great white shark viewed from the unmanned underwater autonomous vehicle
Photograph of a juvenile great white shark swimming through dark blue water

Overview

  • Juvenile great white sharks gather in nurseries in shallow waters near the shore, where temperatures range between 16 and 22°C.
  • These findings are crucial for informing conservation strategies and ensuring safer interactions between sharks and swimmers.
  • Researchers used advanced tagging and tracking technologies to study shark behavior and environmental preferences.
  • The studies indicate that juvenile sharks adjust their depth based on temperature, maximizing growth efficiency.
  • Future research aims to explore the social behaviors of juveniles and the broader ecological implications of their habitat preferences.