Atlantic's largest Great White Shark resurfaces near US coastline after months
A record-breaking Great White Shark named Contender is making headlines as it journeys along the US East Coast, surfacing near a popular vacation region. Measuring an astonishing 14 feet in length and weighing approximately 1,653 pounds, Contender is the largest Great White Shark ever tagged in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the reports, the Great White Shark was first tracked in January 2025 by OCEARCH, a nonprofit research organisation dedicated to marine research. This massive predator was tagged off the Florida-Georgia coast, near Jacksonville.
According to the New York Post reports, after nearly a month without signal, the shark recently resurfaced off Pamlico Sound in North Carolina, sending waves of excitement through the scientific community and ocean enthusiasts alike.
Contender's movements mark a vital feeding stop during his seasonal migration northward, according to what the experts say.
14-foot Great White Shark
Contender reappears after vanishing
The Great White Shark nicknamed as Contender, is a 14-foot, 1,653-pound predator that was first tagged in January 2025 by OCEARCH, a leading nonprofit research organisation focused on large marine species. The shark was located roughly 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast, near Jacksonville.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting
Luxeartisanship
Buy Now
Undo
After disappearing from trackers for almost a month, Contender resurfaced northward off Pamlico Sound in North Carolina.
The absence was due to how its tracker functions; it only transmits location data when the dorsal fin breaks the surface of the water, making updates sporadic. Contender is estimated to be about 30 years old, placing it among the oldest documented Great White Sharks currently being monitored. According to Dr.
Harley Newton, OCEARCH's chief scientist and veterinarian based in Ponte Vedra, Florida, this movement aligns with known migratory behaviour.
North Carolina waters serve as key feeding stop for migrating great whites
This deviation to North Carolina's coastal waters is believed to be a crucial feeding period. Experts suggest that this region offers an abundance of food that allows sharks like Contender to build energy reserves in preparation for a northward journey that could span over 1,000 miles.
Dr. Newton added, 'We often observe tagged sharks lingering off the Outer Banks before continuing their migration. The availability of prey makes this area an important pre-departure refuelling site.
'
How OCEARCH tags and tracks sharks
The tagging process for Contender was extensive and carefully executed. Researchers captured the shark alongside their specialised research vessel, collected biological samples for further analysis, and fitted a SPOT (Smart Position or Temperature Transmitting) satellite tag to its dorsal fin.
This SPOT tag allows real-time GPS tracking when the shark surfaces. Both scientists and the public can follow its movements through OCEARCH's Global Shark Tracker, an open-access digital platform.
Role of sharks in
marine conservation
Data collected from Contender and other sharks play a vital role in marine conservation. By studying their migratory routes and behaviours, researchers can identify critical habitats that need protection. Great white sharks are apex predators and play an essential role in balancing marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations. However, they face growing threats from overfishing, habitat degradation, and the ongoing impacts of climate change.
Also Read |
US man finds snake giving 'saucy looks' from dashboard; Mazda's hilarious 'Try Beyoncé' reply goes viral
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Which country has the largest snake population
Snakes are known for slithering through forests, deserts, wetlands, and even urban areas. Spotting them sends chills down the spine, and I, as a matter of fact, freeze for a moment. Forget this scary part, as it's also a well-known fact that these misunderstood reptiles has a vital role in our ecosystems. They are responsible for controlling populations of rodents and other pests, and play both the parts of predators and prey; they even contribute to seed dispersal. As regarding statistics, there are around 3,900 snake species recorded globally (according to the Reptile Database). When the term "highest snake population" is referred to, it's often interpreted as the country that houses the most snake species. According to the World Population Review, Mexico tops the list for having the most snake species in the world, with 438 types, closely followed by Brazil. Read more: Planning a short trip during the Independence Day weekend: 5 destinations to avoid strictly From arid deserts in the north to lush rainforests in the south, Mexico's diverse geography provides them a healthy habitat — both venomous and non-venomous. Some notable Mexican snakes include: Mexican west coast rattlesnake (Crotalus basiliscus) – It's one of the largest rattlesnake species in the world. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo Consider yourself luck if you don't meet any in this lifetime. Tropical vine snake (Oxybelis fulgidus) – It's a slender, tree-dwelling species that possesses excellent camouflaging technique. Mexican burrowing python (Loxocemus bicolor) – It's a rare and primitive snake found in moist lowlands. Coral snakes (Micrurus spp.) – brightly colored and highly venomous, found in several Mexican states. These species are found across Mexico's 32 states, from coastal mangroves and highland pine forests to desert canyons and volcanic plateaus. Reasons behind Mexico having so many snake species? Well there is not one reason behind this. Several factors contribute to this, some of which are: Mexico is classified as a megadiverse country, meaning it is one of the few nations that harbour the majority of Earth's species. The country spans across a wide range of ecosystems — including tropical rainforests, dry deserts, mountain cloud forests, and coastal zones — all of which support distinct snake populations. Mexico's warm climate makes it a haven for cold-blooded reptiles like snakes. The mix of heat and humidity across many regions creates ideal habitats for both tree-dwelling (arboreal) and ground-dwelling (terrestrial) species. This country has a healthy population of frogs, rodents, birds, and lizards, all common snake prey, which helps sustain Mexico's snake population. In some rural regions, snakes play an important role in controlling pests in agriculture. How does Mexico compare to other countries? Here are the top five countries with the most documented snake species (source: The Reptile Database): Mexico 438 Brazil 420 Indonesia 376 India 305 Colombia 301 Brazil Brazil comes in the second position, which is often mistaken as the top contender. Its rich Amazon rainforest and Pantanal wetlands host iconic species like green anacondas, boa constrictors, and pit vipers. While Brazil may have more dense forest snakes, Mexico surpasses it in total species count. Indonesia As a massive island archipelago, Indonesia supports diverse tropical species including the reticulated python and king cobra. Many islands have endemic snake species found nowhere else on Earth. India India hosts more than 300 snake species, including the notorious 'Big Four' — the Indian cobra, common krait, Russell's viper, and saw-scaled viper — which are responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India records some of the highest snakebite fatalities in the world. Read more: 8 types of elephants found around the world and what makes them unique Are snakes a threat? Despite widespread fear, the majority of snake species are non-venomous and harmless to humans. Even venomous snakes play a critical role in keeping ecosystems balanced by controlling rodent and pest populations. In Mexico, snakes are protected under various regional conservation laws, although habitat loss and illegal collection for the exotic pet trade remain concerns. How are snake populations measured? Unlike mammals or birds, snakes are elusive and hard to count in the wild. Herpetologists use tools such as: Field surveys and biodiversity inventories Species distribution maps Reports from local communities Snakebite data (inferred human-snake interaction) While the exact number of individual snakes in a country is difficult to calculate, species diversity is a more reliable measure — and here, Mexico leads the pack. Snake awareness and coexistence As cities expand and natural habitats shrink, encounters between humans and snakes are becoming increasingly common, particularly in countries like India and Mexico, where many rural communities border snake-rich environments. There are many NGOs in various countries that work toward raising awareness about snake conservation and safe practices during encounters. In rural areas, education about snake identification and first aid can help reduce unnecessary killings and fatalities.
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
ISS astronaut makes kimchi fried rice in space: Does it taste any different?
Image credits: Canva (Representative image) If you've been dreaming of going to space, one of the points to note among many is that taking and making your favourite food there, is a limited and rare possibility. Be it your mum's signature dish or a guilty pleasure, living in space requires you to suffice in some basic food for the time being. Over the years, scientists and astronauts have been working to expand the space menu with determined research and have been making gradual progress with it. Expedition 73 is the 73rd long-duration expedition sent to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 19, 2025. The crew will be returning to Earth in November, and till then, the members have been continuing science research and maintenance activities aboard the ISS. On July 24, 2025, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, a flight engineer part of the Expedition 73 crew, had a conversation with 125 participants from 39 countries in the International Space University Space Studies Program held in Seoul, South Korea this year. After hearing how the ISU attendees had been enjoying the local Korean cuisine, Kim shared his own experience of making kimchi fried rice aboard the ISS and how it tasted. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo "They've been enjoying some Korean cuisine. Did you take any Korean cuisine with you to the space station?" asked a person to Kim. "Annyeonghaseyo (hello), I did, of course," began Kim. "I had a cargo mission come up that had some of my most favorite foods. So of course I had kimchi brought up. I had gochujang, which is a red pepper paste, and I had rice come up. So with those ingredients, and of course, some Spam, I was able to make my own space version of kimchi fried rice." How did it taste? Well, according to the astronaut, it wasn't as good as he could make it at home on Earth. However, in space, they have to work with the best they've got, and he "really, really enjoyed it." Image credits: X Kim, 41, is known to share his culinary experiments in space on X (formerly Twitter). Previously, the astronaut with a following of 71.4K had shared a post on making sushi in space with gochujang, fish, spam, rice and wasabi. However, in order to plate the Japanese dish, they had to make use of orient tape so that the sushi wouldn't float away. Recently, he and his crew members also shared a meal with the Axiom 4 crew, where they had shrimp cocktails and crackers for starters, savoury chicken and beef fajitas for the main course and a cake made from sweet bread, condensed milk and walnuts for dessert. Why does food taste different in space? Image credits: X/@JonnyKimUSA Be it kimchi fried rice or sushi, according to astronauts, the food in space does not taste similar to Earth, even with the same ingredients. Why so? One of the primary reasons, as per NASA , is fluid shift. From the early 1960s, astronauts found that their taste buds were not as effective in space as on Earth. This is because fluids in the body are affected by the reduced gravity conditions. While on Earth, gravity pulls the fluid into our legs; in space, it is equally distributed in the body, thus affecting the ability to smell and taste. Additionally, in the confines of a small space like the space station, the food competes with other odours such as body odours, machinery and more and could thus 'dull' the sense of taste.
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Man Ki Baat: PM Modi praises astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla; says new wave of curiosity for space among kids
File photo (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Ahead of the National Space Day, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India's growing capabilities in space sector, mentioning the achievement of IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's recent journey to International Space Station, talked about a new wave of curiosity about space among children and pointed out that today more than 200 startups have come up in the space sector alone. Talking about Shubhanshu Shukla, who was one of the four crew members of the Axiom-4 mission to ISS, PM Modi, in his 124th 'Mann Ki Baat' episode, said, 'We shall touch upon the successes of the country; the achievements of the countrymen.' He said when Shukla landed back on Earth, a 'wave of happiness rippled through every heart' and added that the 'whole country was filled with pride.' PM Modi also highlighted how the success of Isro's Chandrayaan-3 mission created an atmosphere of curiosity in the country for space endeavours. 'I remember, when Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed in August 2023, a new ambience was created in the country. A new curiosity also arose among children about science, about space. Little children now say, we will also go to space; we will also land on the Moon — we will become space scientists," PM Modi said. PM Modi specifically mentioned the 'INSPIRE-MANAK Abhiyan,' which promotes innovation among children by providing them with a platform to develop innovative ideas rooted in science. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'In this, five children are selected from each school. Each child brings up a new idea. So far, lakhs of children have joined this, and after Chandrayaan-3, their number has doubled,' he said. PM noted a rise in India's space startups, pointing out that the number has almost quadrupled in the last five years. 'Five years ago, there were fewer than 50 start-ups. Today, there are more than 200," he said. Further noting the upcoming National Space Day on August 23, PM Modi said, "How will you celebrate it..., do you have any new ideas? Do send me a message on the NaMo App'. PM Modi also mentioned the recent achievements of students in the science and mathematics fields, giving a shout-out to the brightest minds. 'In 21st-century India, science is progressing with renewed energy. A few days ago, our students won medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad. India has also strengthened its image in the world of mathematics. In the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Australia, our students won 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal," PM Modi said. He also announced that an Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad is going to be held in Mumbai next month. This will be the biggest Olympiad to date, he noted. The PM also hailed the development of Unesco recognising 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites. 'Eleven forts in Maharashtra; one in Tamil Nadu. Each fort has a chapter of history attached to it. Every stone is a testimony to a historical event... Salher Fort, where the Mughals were defeated, Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. A fort that is unbreachable for the enemy. Khanderi Fort is an amazing fort built in the middle of the sea,' he said. 'The enemy wanted to stop him, but Shivaji Maharaj made the impossible possible. Pratapgarh Fort, where Afzal Khan was defeated, the echo of that saga still remains entrenched in the walls of the fort. Vijaydurg, which had secret tunnels, is proof of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's farsightedness. I visited Raigad a few years ago... bowed in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue. This experience will stay with me all my life,' Modi said. He said sometimes a task comes across as impossible to some people, but when the country comes together on one thought, even the impossible becomes possible. '' Swachh Bharat Mission ' is the biggest example of this. Soon, this mission will complete 11 years. But its strength and its need are still the same,' he said. In these 11 years, 'Swachh Bharat Mission' has become a mass movement, and people consider it their duty, and this is real public participation, Modi said. 'The Swachh Survey conducted every year has lifted this feeling further. This year, more than 4500 cities and towns of the country joined it. More than 15 crore people participated in it. This is not an ordinary number. This is the voice of Swachh Bharat,' he said.
