Surprising reason why you won't find great white sharks in an aquarium
Although many aquariums around the world house some of the largest fish in the sea, there’s a surprising reason why you’ll never see a great white shark in one.
Video transcript
Although many aquariums around the world house some of the largest fish in the sea, there's a surprising reason why you'll never see a great white shark in one.
Despite numerous attempts since the 19 seventies, most efforts to keep the species in captivity have failed, with the sharks typically passing within 16 days.
The last significant effort was in 2004, when California's Monterey Bay Aquarium managed to keep a juvenile shark for six months.
However, the shark was eventually returned to the ocean after it killed two of its tank mates.
But why is it so hard to keep this apex predator alive in captivity?
The main reason is their nomadic nature.
They need vast oceanic space to thrive, not only allows them to breathe easily, but also prevents the severe injuries they often sustain from bumping into the glass walls of enclosures.
Additionally, their dietary and environmental needs are difficult to replicate in captivity.
Without ample space to swim long distances, the shark experiences breathing difficulties and gradually weakens
