How Many Teeth Does a Great White Shark Have?

A great white shark has about 300 large, triangular-shaped teeth with jagged, serrated edges, arranged in many rows in its mouth. When a shark clamps down on something, or someone, it will shake its head violently from side to side, in order to rip off hunks of flesh. The first two rows of teeth are used for grabbing and cutting the prey, while the teeth in the last rows are replacements for teeth that get broken, get worn down, or become substitutes for teeth that fall out. A great white can lose and replace as many as 20,000 teeth over a lifetime.

Seven thousand pounds of trouble:

• A great white shark reaches adulthood about nine years after birth. The largest can grow to as long as 21 feet (6.4 meters) and weigh more than 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg).
• Great white sharks eat fish and other sea animals, such as seals and sea lions. The predator’s liver can make up to 24 percent of its body weight.
• The great white has only one natural enemy. Killer whales, or orcas, can paralyze a shark by flipping it upside down. They then hold the shark by the mouth, and eventually suffocate it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many teeth does a great white shark have at any given time?

At any given time, a great white shark can have about 300 teeth, arranged in multiple rows. These teeth are not all used for biting at once; as the front teeth wear down or fall out, they are replaced by the teeth in the row behind them, ensuring the shark always has sharp teeth ready for use.

Do great white sharks lose their teeth often?

Yes, great white sharks lose their teeth frequently due to their aggressive feeding habits. It's estimated that they can lose thousands of teeth over their lifetime. A single shark might shed a tooth every few weeks, quickly replaced by another from the row behind, akin to a conveyor belt system.

What happens to the teeth that great white sharks lose?

Lost teeth of great white sharks often end up on the ocean floor and can become fossilized over time. Beachcombers and fossil hunters sometimes find these teeth washed up on shorelines. The teeth are highly sought after as collectibles and for scientific study.

How do the teeth of great white sharks differ from human teeth?

Great white shark teeth are adapted for slicing through flesh and bone, with a triangular shape and serrated edges, unlike the varied shapes and functions of human teeth. Sharks continuously replace their teeth, while humans typically have only two sets—their baby teeth and their permanent teeth.

Can you tell the age of a great white shark by its teeth?

While the teeth of a great white shark do not directly reveal its age, scientists can estimate age by examining growth rings in the shark's vertebrae, similar to counting tree rings. However, the size and condition of teeth, along with other factors, can provide indirect clues about the life stage of the shark.

Are great white shark teeth the same throughout their mouth?

No, the teeth of a great white shark vary in size and shape depending on their position in the mouth. Teeth at the front are larger and designed for gripping prey, while the smaller teeth on the sides help to saw through flesh. This differentiation allows for a more efficient feeding process.