Why might a white shark leap out of the water while attacking prey?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

White sharks typically hunt by ambushing their prey, rushing toward the target with significant speed to deliver a sudden, massive, and fatal bite. This initial rush is often so powerful that the intense impact can propel the prey out of the water. If the shark misses its target during this high-speed strike, the momentum of the attack can carry the shark itself into the air.12