Quick Take
- Breaching isn't just about hunting. Great whites have a second, lesser-known reason for launching out of the water. Discover both reasons sharks breach →
- Southern California's coastline hides a secret that makes shark sightings here far more common than anywhere else on the West Coast. See why SoCal waters matter →
- The boogie boarder had no idea whether he was actually in danger. The answer isn't what most people assume. Find out the real danger level →
- Catching this breach on video was not simply a matter of luck, given that the conditions which trigger it are surprisingly specific. Learn what triggers a breach →
Great white sharks are some of the scariest creatures in the ocean, but they are also amazing in so many ways. When pursuing prey at high speeds, they may breach the surface of the ocean, creating a spectacular sight. This Instagram post by @wfla shows a great white shark doing just this.
Great white sharks often breach as they are hunting prey.
©Sergey Uryadnikov/Shutterstock.com
Why Great White Sharks Jump
The video above is an amazing look at a not-so-commonly seen behavior. The video was taken at Newport Beach, California, by Soaren Stevenson. While he was recording his brother boogie boarding, he captured a shark breaching on camera in the background. While somewhat difficult to see, the shark was identified as a juvenile white shark. Great whites are capable of breaching, but it is not an everyday behavior.
Most of the time, sharks breach as a result of hunting prey. As they chase down animals like seals or fish, they may jump out of the water during the chase. They don’t have to be hunting to breach, though. Other reasons for breaching include hygiene, as the force can help dislodge parasites or other irritants from a shark’s skin, highlighting just how important the behavior can be.
Southern California is a great place to go shark watching. These waters are important nursing areas for juvenile white sharks. You can commonly see young great white sharks through the coastal waters thanks to the abundance of prey available. These areas are habitat for numerous rays and fish. Thankfully, the boogie boarder in the video didn’t seem to be in any immediate danger. The shark was still a good distance away, but regardless, you should exercise caution when you know a shark is nearby. Most great white encounters are due to mistaken identity instead of a deliberate attack. However, they are still massive predators.
