Great White Sharks Face Overheating Risk as Ocean Temperatures Rise

Great white sharks, which have dominated ocean ecosystems for millions of years, are increasingly vulnerable to warming waters due to their unique physiology. The apex predators maintain body temperatures warmer than surrounding seawater, an evolutionary advantage that is now becoming a liability as climate change drives ocean temperatures higher. Scientists report that this thermoregulatory trait, which has historically given great whites their competitive edge, may make them among the most physiologically vulnerable marine species to warming oceans. The findings highlight how adaptations that once ensured survival can become detrimental under rapidly changing environmental conditions.