(Ocearch via SWNS)
By Blaise Cloran
A 1,400 lb great white shark has surprised scientists by swimming south for summer - in a complete break in behavior from the rest of the pack.
While most sharks are swimming north to cooler waters where food is plentiful during summer, 13 ft Breton has headed south, and surfaced just off Florida.
Typically, great white sharks swim north each summer, leaving the Gulf of Mexico and Florida's coast to migrate up the Atlantic towards Canada.
On July 25 the apex predator was tracked "paving his own path down south" by OCEARCH, and his tracker 'pinged' near tourist spot Daytona Beach.
The shark's tracker transmits a locating "ping" signal when his dorsal fin is exposed above the water's surface for long enough.
John Tyminki, OCEARCH data scientist, explained seasonal food sources and cooler water temperatures are part of why sharks migrate north during the summer.
"Breton always surprises us," he said.
(Ocearch via SWNS)
"He was tagged September 11, 2020 so it is going on nearly six years.
"Our estimate is that he has traveled more than 52,000 miles.
"He has gone in shore and off shore and because he is a mature male he is showing us useful patterns.
"Right now he is off the East coast of Florida as of July 25 in the Gulf stream.
"Usually our understanding is that great white sharks at this time are in Canada or Cape Cod because of the seals and the water temperature.
"Yet Breton has gone somewhere different.
"We wondered, isn't the water temperature too warm for him to be there?
"His tag also sends us temperature data and where he is, it is on the warm side for white sharks, at 80 degrees Fahrenheit."
Scientists don't know why he has gone against the grain.
"He is probably spending his time a lot deeper down where the water is colder," said John.
"Our guess is that Breton is following seasonal schools of fish.
"He continues to surprise us and is amazing."
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