'Most Wanted Sharks': Meet Lucy, a great white shark who thrives despite her broken caudal fin
National Geographic's Sharkfest programming may be an eye-opener for many viewers who get to learn about some of the most terrifying predators in the ocean much more. The latest special, 'Most Wanted Sharks' focuses on some of the most famous sharks in the ocean, including Patches the hammerhead shark, and Zapata, a male great white shark. But the star of the show who is most likely to have captured hearts (metaphorically speaking, of course) is Lucy, a female great white who shows that the female of any species is formidable.
'I Love Lucy' may be a beloved television show but it is also a phrase that many shark enthusiasts love to use. Lucy is a 17-foot-long female great white shark who regularly visits Guadalupe Island. Most mature female sharks are only seen every other year. They mate at Guadalupe Island and then stay away from the Island until after they give birth off the coast of Baja and in the Sea of Cortes, about 18 months after they get pregnant at Guadalupe.
However, Lucy is seen much more regularly and scientists believe that her "deformed appearance" is what keeps her out of the other male sharks' radar. In 2008, she suffered an injury to her tail, most likely from a bite by another shark. Her tail is pretty much mangled and it probably affects her speed, though she has adapted to the injury with a modified swimming method. Her tail makes it very easy for shark enthusiasts to identify her -- usually, they focus on the sharks' coloration. Mutation, like Lucy's tail, don't change and are used in conjunction with other markings to identify her. This makes Lucy a favorite for visitors to "shark tours" who try their own luck at spotting her.
However, Lucy is a fighter. Even with her injured tail, Lucy seems healthy in any other way, showing us that her reduced speed does not affect her ability to get the food she needs, and holds her own among the other terrifying sharks of the area. She is also very curious, often swimming very close to cages, and even makes "eye contact" with divers as she swims by. In 2013, Lucy was the first great white shark at Guadalupe to be documented hunting at speeds of 25 miles per hour below the surface.
Shark videographer and tour guide, Lalo Saidy, said on Lucy, "Lucy is by far one of my favorite sharks at the island to spend time with underwater. Not just because of her size but because of her beauty and the ease at which she moves underwater and the respect that the other sharks give her when she shows up."
'Most Wanted Sharks' first airs on Thursday, July 23, at 10/9c on National Geographic. An encore presentation will follow on Tuesday, August 11, at 7/6c on Nat Geo WILD.
