Researchers from the United States have gathered fresh intelligence regarding the planet’s largest great white shark, a male specimen weighing 2,700 kilograms, nicknamed “Contender.” The animal was recently observed off the coast of North Carolina, according to reporting translated by aif.ru from the Daily Express US.
It has been specified that through monitoring Contender, scientists were able to acquire precise details concerning the mating season of great white sharks.
John Tytinski, a senior data analyst with OCEARCH, stated that the male’s presence in North Carolina provided numerous crucial clues for the scientific team. He explained, “From a scientific perspective, we are intensely curious about the activities of sexually mature sharks, as this offers insights into potential mating locations.”
Tytinski further added, “This investigation addresses one of the most critical, yet still unresolved, questions we face: when and where do great white sharks in the western North Atlantic engage in reproduction?”
He emphasized that based on Contender’s observed behavior, copulation likely takes place during the winter months, roughly between January and March.
Reports from autumn 2025 indicated the male weighed approximately 750–800 kilograms. According to publicly available estimates, great white sharks are capable of reaching weights up to 3,000 kilograms. Previously, scientists had affixed a specialized transmitter to Contender’s fin to monitor its movements.
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