The great white shark is ovoviviparous: the shark goes in an egg, then hatches inside the mother. 

During insemination, the male bits the female to hold her in place

While in the womb, embryos feed on unfertilized eggs which is called oophagy. 

Gestation period is 12 to 18 months.

Litter size ranges from 2 to 8 pups

At birth: pups measure 5 feet and weigh an average 77 pounds. 

Males reach maturity around 9 to 10. Females reach maturity around 14 to 16 years. 

• Live to be about 30 years of age

Due to the long gestation, it is estimated that great white sharks give birth every other year. It allows for the great white shark to rest. 

Due to the low reproductive rate, this is a concern to the population of great white sharks. Another threat to the population is humans, people hunting them for fins and teeth. 

Females are assumed to give birth in warm temperature/ subtropical water. However, nurseries are unknown.

It takes a long time for populations to rebound. 

Species reaches sexual maturity at the age of 15 years old. Males have a modified pelvic fin that allows them to internally impregnate females. 

According to researchers, males bite the females near the head or fin to allow them to insert their claspers. 

While impregnated, females migrate. After giving birth, females return to their breeding grounds to mate again. 

Male sex organ is called a clasper. Female sex organ: cloaca.

Male inserts claspers into the female's cloaca, then they release sperm that fertilizes the eggs. 

Once born, no parental care is given to the shark pup.