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Why are white sharks warmer than the surrounding water?
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shark
Shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), found throughout tropical and temperate seas worldwide.
While most fish are ectothermic—meaning they are cold-blooded—the white shark is an exception.1
White sharks maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water through an adaptation known as regional endothermy, which is a form of warm-bloodedness. They possess a complex circulatory system that conserves the heat generated by the contraction of their swimming muscles. This heat is then distributed throughout the body to warm critical regions, allowing the shark to remain active in temperatures that would be too cold for many other predatory species.21