The shark species widely considered to have killed the most humans, based on documented incidents, is the Great White Shark.
Identifying the Most Lethal Shark
According to a Forbes article titled "A Biologist Spotlights The 7 Most Lethal Sharks In The World", the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is identified as the world's deadliest shark species when considering known attacks and fatalities.
Data from the Reference
The provided reference offers specific statistics that support this classification:
| Shark Species | Scientific Name | Known Attacks | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Shark | Carcharodon carcharias | 351 | 59 |
The article explicitly states that the Carcharodon carcharias, also known as the great white shark, "is by far the world's deadliest shark species" based on available data concerning documented incidents.
Why the Great White Leads in Fatalities
While various factors contribute to a shark bite incident, the Great White Shark's combination of large size, power, and predatory nature means that encounters can result in significant injuries, often leading to fatalities compared to incidents involving smaller or less aggressive species. The high number of documented attacks and the resulting fatalities listed in sources like the Forbes article underscore its classification as the most dangerous shark to humans based on historical data.
