Head to head
Porbeagle vs Great White Shark
Porbeagle
VS Great White Shark
The porbeagle is often called the great white's smaller cousin, and the two share a family, a stout build, and the ability to keep their bodies warmer than the sea.
| Porbeagle | Great White Shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lamna nasus | Carcharodon carcharias |
| Relationship | A close relative of the great white, in the mackerel shark family | A close relative of the porbeagle, in the mackerel shark family |
| Size | Reaches about 3 m in length | Typically 3.5 to 5 m, with the largest confirmed about 6 m, and 680 to 1,100 kg |
| Diet | Fish such as herring, mackerel, and cod relatives, along with squid | Seals, sea lions, fish, rays, and the carcasses of whales and dolphins |
| Body temperature | Keeps parts of its body warmer than the surrounding water | Partly warm-blooded, keeping its muscle up to 14 degrees Celsius above the water |
| Marking | A white patch at the rear of its first dorsal fin | A white underside sharply separated from a grey back |
| Lifespan | Grows slowly and has a small litter, so recovers slowly from fishing | Can live up to about 70 years, and matures at around 26 years |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable, with north-eastern Atlantic populations depleted by fishing | Vulnerable, in cool and temperate coastal and offshore waters worldwide |
Porbeagle vs Great White Shark: common questions
Is the porbeagle a baby great white?
No, it is a separate species, a close relative of the great white, that stays smaller, reaching about 3 m.
Which one is bigger?
The great white, typically 3.5 to 5 m long, while the porbeagle reaches about 3 m.
Do both keep warm bodies?
Yes, both keep parts of their bodies warmer than the surrounding water, which helps them stay active in cool seas.