0:00:02 > 0:00:03My name's Steve Backshall!
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Self confessed, shark obsessed.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08This is Shark Bites.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13There's only one contender for this title.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16The most ferocious shark has to go to...
0:00:17 > 0:00:19..the mighty Great White -
0:00:19 > 0:00:22one of the greatest hunters on our planet.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Reaching lengths of up to six metres, and weighing as much
0:00:28 > 0:00:33as a car, Great Whites prey on fish and marine mammals, like seals.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40And these colossal carnivores rule their waters.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45But what is it that makes them such perfect predators?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48Guadalupe Island off the coast of Mexico is the perfect place
0:00:48 > 0:00:50to swim with them in the open ocean.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56I can't deny I'm a little nervous.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59After all, Great Whites are one of the most powerful
0:00:59 > 0:01:00creatures on our planet.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05So, I think it's time to head out through the open cage door.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15VOICEOVER: Out of the blue, and as if from nowhere, a shadow appears.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Look, look at that coming straight towards us!
0:01:20 > 0:01:23VOICEOVER: This stealthy approach is just one of the reasons
0:01:23 > 0:01:25they are such awesome predators.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33With white colourings below, and dark grey markings above,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36the Great White has the perfect ocean camouflage,
0:01:36 > 0:01:41known as countershading, allowing them to take their prey by surprise.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49And it's in this moment of impact that they reveal their second
0:01:49 > 0:01:51and most effective predatory tool.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56The jaws of the Great White are perhaps what this shark
0:01:56 > 0:02:00is best known for - and with good reason.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04At any one time, A Great White may have 300 scalpel-sharp
0:02:04 > 0:02:07serrated teeth in its mouth, in rows.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11The front row is used to capture and devour prey.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15The other rows are like spares on a conveyor belt.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17When the front row falls out,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20the others roll forward to take their place.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24This shark may get through 20,000 teeth in a lifetime,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28ensuring they never run out of their greatest asset.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Team those serrated teeth with two tonnes of explosive power
0:02:34 > 0:02:37and speeds of up to 40km an hour
0:02:37 > 0:02:40and this shark is able to drive its prey clear out of the water.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48The Great White shark,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51the most awesome predatory fish on our planet.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53With its cunning camouflage and its terrific teeth,
0:02:53 > 0:02:58it is without a doubt the most ferocious fish in our seas.