How often do white sharks reproduce?
White sharks are long-lived, and not very abundant. Male white sharks become sexually mature at around 9-10 yrs. of age. Females become mature at around 14-16 yrs. of age, and can have between two and 14 “pups” per litter. Birthing is thought to occur in the spring and summer months. Each pup is around 4-5 feet long at birth, and comes equipped with a full set of teeth. White sharks, as with most long-lived ocean creatures, suffer from high mortality rates during their first year of life. Scientists believe white shark gestation periods last about 12 months, which means that female white sharks may breed only once every two years. This slow rate of reproduction indicates that it would take a long time for white shark populations to recover if they became severely depleted. Q: How can people avoid white shark attacks? There is only one foolproof method for avoiding a white shark attack: stay out of the ocean. If this is not an option, try to avoid places known for white sharks, such as
