Have you ever wondered why great white sharks are never showcased in aquariums, despite their massive popularity? The reason lies in the challenges of keeping these apex predators in captivity. Great whites require vast space to swim freely, and without it, they become stressed and sick. Despite numerous attempts, aquariums have struggled to provide the necessary conditions for these sharks to thrive.
The first attempt to house a great white shark was made in 1955 at Marineland of the Pacific in Los Angeles, but the shark didn’t survive a full day. Since then, many attempts have been made, but all have ended in failure. The Monterey Bay Aquarium holds the record for keeping a great white shark alive for 16 days, but even then, the shark died soon after being released back into the wild.
The main reasons for this failure are the sharks’ specific needs. Great whites are carnivores that require live prey, and their feeding process would be difficult to replicate in an aquarium. Additionally, they need to keep swimming to breathe, which demands enormous tanks that would be prohibitively expensive. In captivity, great whites often stop eating, starve, and become aggressive due to frustration.
Ultimately, it’s clear that great white sharks belong in the wild, swimming freely through the ocean. Their absence in aquariums is a testament to the complexity of their needs and the importance of preserving their natural habitat.
