The Great White Shark is a feared and misunderstood species, but one thing can be certain – it does not exist in the Mississippi River, despite what local lore may suggest. Though the Mississippi is a large river, its species diversity, temperature and salinity levels do not provide a suitable habitat for the Great White Shark.
Great White Sharks have been studied extensively, and their preferred habitat has been determined and documented. Generally, they prefer temperate waters with varying salinity levels, typically found in the coastal regions of the world near the continental shelf rather than in an inland river like the Mississippi.
While sightings of strange creatures have been reported periodically, it is highly unlikely that any of these sightings involve a Great White Shark. One possible explanation may be a Bull Shark. This is a species that can tolerate both fresh water and salt water and can survive in the Mississippi River but most Bull Sharks are shorter and much darker in colour than Great White Sharks.
With closer examination, these sightings have been proven to be species native to the area, such as large catfish, paddlefish, American Eels or even Alligators. Though these species can reach extraordinary sizes and appear menacing, they are all harmless to humans.
Experts believe that people may mistake these species for Great White Sharks because of the area’s lack of knowledge and general unfamiliarity with the species. And local communities may mistakenly report a sighting out of fear or misunderstanding of what they are actually seeing in the Mississippi River.
Great White Sharks do inhabit coastal areas – they are known to traverse the Atlantic Ocean stretching from Massachusetts to Florida and spend much of their time near the shore in warmer waters but they do not venture up rivers, even if the species can adapt to different environmental conditions.
And, while the Great White Shark is known to travel in the open sea and occasionally the shallow waters of the ocean floor, it does not have the ability to navigate itself through fresh-water systems, for example, areas with no oceanic salt content. With that in mind, it would not be able to survive in the Mississippi River.
Population of Great White Sharks
It is estimated that there are about 3,500 Great White Sharks across the globe, though the exact number is unknown. It is also estimated that most of these sharks stay in a narrow area and rarely venture far from their home. While the population of Great White Sharks remains stable, they are listed as a vulnerable species and are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
The Great White Shark is the top predator in its habitat and the ecosystem relies heavily on this species in order to balance itself. For this reason, people should be extra cautious not to disrupt the habitat of this species and create an environment where its populations can thrive.
Are They Dangerous?
Generally speaking, Great White Sharks prefer to avoid humans, but they can become dangerous in certain situations. It is important to remember that encounters with Great White Sharks are very rare and, when they occur, the shark typically does not attack but will swim away when it senses humans.
If a human does become the target of an attack, it is recommended to remain calm and fight back aggressively. A punch or slap to its nose may be enough to dissuade the shark from attacking. These incidents do not happen regularly and reports of it are highly exaggerated.
Conservation Efforts
In order to help protect this species and ensure its long-term survivability, various initiatives such as tagging and tracking have been conducted around the world in order to gain better insight into the behaviour, habitat and population of Great White Sharks. Conservations efforts have also been taken to reduce by-catches of this species and to create protected sanctuaries for its safe habitats.
Conservation organizations and governments have also taken action to protect this species and its habitat, implementing regulation on fishing and hunting as well as increasing funding for research and protection efforts.
Potential Threats
The Great White Shark is an apex predator and a top of the food chain species and therefore can be affected by activities that take place at its lower levels. As a result, changes to their habitat such as pollution, fishing, climate change and ocean noise can threaten the species.
The Great White Shark is also threatened by poachers who may hunt them for their meat, skin, and teeth. Despite some countries legally protecting the animal, illegal hunting remains a very serious issue today and needs to be addressed in order to ensure the long-term survival of this species.
Benefits of Great White Sharks
Not only is the Great White Shark an iconic species, but it also plays a major role in the ocean’s ecosystem. By preying on smaller species, the Great White Shark controls population sizes, thus creating room for the growth of other species and keeping the ocean’s balance intact.
The Great White Shark can also help to reduce disease in the oceans as some illnesses can spread quickly when certain species become too populous. Additionally, scientists have identified that it can also help other species recover, by preying on fish that are eating too much of their prey.
In recent years, several tourism trips have been developed in order to allow people to observe Great White Sharks in their natural environment. Robust control and safety measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of people and the Great White Sharks. This is the ideal way to appreciate and understand the importance of this species.
