(Carcharodon carcharias), species of large, aggressive shark of the family Isuridae (or Lamnidae) that is considered to be more dangerous to human beings than any other shark. It is also known as the white pointer, man-eater, and white death. The white shark is found in tropical and temperate regions of all oceans. It typically lives in the open sea, but it often enters inshore waters. The white shark is notorious for its unprovoked, sometimes lethal attacks on swimmers, divers, surfers, and even small boats. It is noted, aside from its potential as a man-eater, for a voracious appetite and a diet that includes large and small fishes, other sharks, dolphins, seals, turtles, birds, and ships' garbage.