We're just over here watching Shark Week stuff on Discovery Channel, and the boyfriend asked me this. Like I'm supposed to know, or something!
Little help? :)
2006-07-30 15:08:58 · 13 answers · asked by teabunny 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
It is named for the white belly (reference 1).
2006-07-30 15:24:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
As many here have answered before, the Great White shark (*Carcharodon carcharias*) is called "white" due to its distinctly white belly. It is believed that the name originated from times when dead specimens were lying on-deck belly-up, thus making the animal appear unusually white. But who knows... Other common names are white pointer (in Australia), eater, and death, all some rather strange and catchy designations that gave the animal a reputation far worse than its true nature.
But what are common names to the biologist other than reasons for confusion? So, let's look at the Latin name, *Carcharodon carcharias*. Its proper name is not pointing at the coloration but the dentition and body shape of the shark. According to its etyomology *Carcharodo* is compunded of Greek "karcharos" (sharpen) and "odous" (teeth). *carcharias* on the other hand translates from the Greek into "pointed type of shark". One is always better advised to go with the scientific rather than the common name.
Tell the boyfriend, impress him with your knowledge and tell him next time he wants to know about sharks he should go to these magical esoteric places, huge buildings containing knowledge and human experiences all encapsulated in strange papery objects all lined up in miles-long shelves. I am, of course, talking of a LIBRARY!
I hope this helps and have fun with Shark Week!
2006-07-31 19:56:18 · answer #2 · answered by oputz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its tummy and face are pretty white, and the rest is a light gray. But it has more white than a bull shark or a sand shark, so it's easier to call it a White Shark than a "more white than other sharks" shark. And the Great is cuz it's mighty big.
2006-07-30 22:14:21 · answer #3 · answered by Firstd1mension 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many decades ago they would kill the shark first and the shark would natural roll over belly up and then they would look at what they had killed, saw its white belly, and named it the great white shark.
2006-07-31 03:39:21 · answer #4 · answered by Professor Armitage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meredith is correct. Because the are big (great) and the belly is white. She knows her sharks.
2006-07-30 22:12:32 · answer #5 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not all white, or seriously great, but ..........
why is a fish called a fish, a bird called Bird, a Dog is a dog, and a tree is a tree.........
we know it's a shark because it's bigger then the average fish, and it has teeth....then they had to find a name...so they named it Great white....
perhapos because the oceans rappids are white and it inspired them
2006-07-30 22:12:46 · answer #6 · answered by Me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because just like Tony the Tiger, they're Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!
2006-07-30 22:12:25 · answer #7 · answered by Report Abuse 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
white belly and its great and its a shark BAM
2006-07-30 22:13:16 · answer #8 · answered by shektor9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because its the shark that runs the sea and most of them hate the tiger sharks and killer whales cause of there color. its sad really, NINJAS DONT DO THIS! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA IM IN LOVE WITH MY SISTER!!!! help me plz the voices wont stop AHHAAHAHAHAH DO YOU LIKE IT WHEN I TOUcH YOU THERE!
2006-07-30 22:13:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm. My guess is because of the number of its great white teeth.
2006-07-30 22:11:13 · answer #10 · answered by EPnTX 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋