In April, researchers from the University of South Alabama had an exciting encounter off the coast of Alabama. They spotted a majestic great white shark, which they affectionately nicknamed “Miss Pawla.” Capturing the moment on video, the team closely observed as the shark gracefully swam by.
Researchers from the University of South Alabama have released video taken in mid-April of an 8-foot juvenile Great White shark spotted off the Alabama coast.
The shark, named “Miss Pawla” by researchers, was still in the same area 10 days later. By last Friday, she was nowhere… pic.twitter.com/W5DAHoEDyV— AL.com (@aldotcom) May 14, 2024
The researchers who were monitoring fish in an artificial reef zone about 150 feet deep near the coast of Alabama had the chance to spot her not once, but twice. The first sighting occurred on April 10th when the researchers were in the water, as shown in the video above. Surprisingly, she made another appearance 10 days later. However, by May 3rd, she had already moved on from the area.
Miss Pawla, a juvenile great white shark, is estimated to be around eight feet long. Judging by her size, she is believed to be approximately 15 years old. However, since these sharks do not reach maturity until they are about 30 years old, she still has a long journey ahead of her.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
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Great white sharks are a common sight along the coastlines of the United States, although they are not often seen around Alabama. These majestic creatures are more commonly found near the New England states and California. Occasionally, they can also be spotted in the Gulf of Mexico.
In a significant breakthrough, the area witnessed its first official encounter with a magnificent great white shark. Over the span of a decade, this dedicated research group meticulously examined over 1,000 artificial and natural reefs near Alabama. Surprisingly, despite their extensive efforts, Miss Pawla emerged as the first-ever sighting of a great white shark.
Researchers have recently discovered the presence of a great white shark in the area, marking the first recorded sighting. Interestingly, local fishermen have previously reported encounters with these majestic creatures, raising questions among scientists about the potential abundance of great whites in the region.
Are Great White Sharks Dangerous?
Picture yourself in a heart-pounding moment as a formidable great white shark charges towards you, teeth bared and ready to strike. The sight of its menacing jaws and the glimpse into its formidable gullet is enough to send shivers down your spine.
The image above, taken by Martin Heyn, showcases the beauty of nature.
Great white sharks generally do not exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans. In fact, they typically do not view humans as prey and prefer to avoid any interaction with them.
When they are hungry or curious, or when they mistake us for another animal, great white sharks may attack. That’s why it’s important to exercise caution and be fully prepared when near them. These sharks often give test bites when they are curious about something. Due to their large size and teeth, even a test bite can pose a significant danger to humans.
While it’s true that great white sharks can be intimidating, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to live in fear every time you visit the beach. On average, there are approximately 70 to 80 unprovoked shark attacks reported each year. Although great whites are responsible for the majority of these incidents, it’s worth noting that there are a total of 34 different shark species known to engage in biting behavior.
Where Are Great White Sharks Found?
South Africa’s coastlines are renowned for being a popular destination for great white sharks.
The photograph, taken by Photo Africa SA/Shutterstock.com, captures a stunning scene that showcases the beauty of nature.
In the United States, you can spot magnificent white sharks along the majority of the country’s coastlines. They can be found from Maine down to the Gulf of Mexico on the Atlantic side. On the Pacific side, they inhabit areas ranging from Alaska to California, including Hawaii and Mexico.
South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are known to have the highest populations of great white sharks, contrary to popular belief that they are predominantly found near the United States.
How Large Do Great White Sharks Get?
Great white sharks can grow to be quite large in size.
The image used in this article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic license. The original image is credited to Terry Gross. Please note that this license allows for the image to be used and shared, as long as proper credit is given to the original creator.
Great white sharks begin their lives measuring four feet in length. As they grow, they can reach up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 4,000 pounds by the age of 30.
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