5000 Francs Great White shark - Predators

Introducing the silver coin, another in the "Predators" series.

This magnificent oxidised three ounce coin is dedicated to the impressive shark. 

The great white shark is one of the largest predatory sharks. It is found in most warm ocean waters at various depths. It has a heavily muscled body, reaching an average length of up to 6 metres, with a weight of up to 2 tonnes. Its teeth are up to 5 cm high and have 128 teeth. The great white shark has a very sensitive sense of smell. It can smell one drop of blood in 115 litres of water. It swims agilely and quickly, at speeds of up to 40 km/h. It feeds on large fish, sea turtles and hunts seals and dolphins. It is the only shark that extends its head above the surface of the water to watch its prey.

The great white shark is considered to be the most dangerous of all sharks. This view is reinforced by published data on the number of attacks in bathing grounds in southern Australia, New Zealand, the United States and southern Africa, among other areas where the species is known to occur. However, analysis of these data indicates that humans are not a 'delicacy' for white sharks. Rather, reported attacks should be considered as 'mistakes' by the predator. This is indicated by the manner of biting during the attack. The shark does not tear the victim, but bites and in most cases swims away, allowing the victim to survive. Attacks to defend their territory should also not be excluded.

Statistically, the annual number of fatal attacks by dogs in the United States is greater than the number of similar attacks by white sharks in the last 100 years.