Watch How Close This Massive Great White Shark Swims to Shore in a Crowded Harbor

Ingonish Harbor in Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia had a very special visit that was captured on camera. The onlookers guessed that it was a juvenile great white shark but there was something wrong with its pectoral fin. The comments relating to the post sadly indicate that the shark may have been found washed up dead on a beach sometime later. In this clip, it makes its way around the harbor probably looking for a fishy snack amongst the boats.

Watch the Action Below

Where Do Great White Sharks Normally Live?

Great white sharks are large saltwater animals. They are found in temperate and tropical coastal waters. You will spot them along the east and west coasts of North America – in the east from Newfoundland down to Florida. They can be also spotted off the coasts of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and West Africa to name just a few. They are highly migratory, and it is hard to be sure of their exact population numbers.

Their preferred habitats are primarily coastal and offshore waters of insular and continental shelves. As you see from this clip, they can be spotted at the surface but they are also found at depths of up to 1875 m.

How Long Do Great White Sharks Normally Live?

The age of a great white shark can be determined accurately from the rings forming on their vertebra. Their lifespan is thought to be around 30 years. Some are thought to live up to 40 years. They breed between the ages of nine and 23 years. For most of their life, they lead a solitary existence but they can sometimes be spotted in pairs or small groups. When this happens, there is a dominance hierarchy.

What Do Great White Sharks Normally Eat?

These guys are phenomenal predators and pursue their prey with short but very rapid chases. They can also be seen breaching the water and hunting during the day and at night. Younger sharks typically prey on squid, stingrays, and small shark species. As they get older, they switch their attention to seals and sea lions as well as dolphins. They can also be seen feasting on whale carcasses. Their overall favorite prey is probably the elephant seal as it provides plenty of fat and calories. However, some have been spotted eating turtles and various sea birds.

Their typical mode of attack is to position themselves below their prey and swim vertically to collide with the target. The prey is then bitten and usually dies from blood loss.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alessandro De Maddalena/Shutterstock.com