Images(4)

Jaws of a Great White Shark

Date19th century

Object number00006541

NameShark jaws

MediumShark bone

DimensionsOverall: 260 x 585 x 408 mm, 2.1 kg

ClassificationsAnimals and animal products

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

Sharks

Terms

DescriptionThis jaw and teeth are from a great white shark (carcharodon carcharias) and were most likely collected from the Victor Harbor area in South Australia during the C19 during its whaling industry days.HistoryRecent studies into shark behaviour in South Australia indicate that sharks, bronze whalers and white sharks, use the Victor Harbor area as part of large regional home range or migratory pathway. It is likely that sharks only stay in the area for a short time, with focus on Granite and Seal Islands. SignificanceThe whaling industry was a very profitable industry in South Australia during the first half of the C19. Whaling was known to attract the attention of sharks that very interested in the feeding opportunities of the whale carcass. Large sharks such as this great white were sometimes caught in the process, usually for their teeth and jaws, rather than for eating.