Highly intelligent and unique, Colossus is an enormous 14ft great white shark that patrols the waters around Seal Island in South Africa. He weighs 3000 pounds and is the king of the waters around False bay.
Colossus’ diet mainly consists of cape fur seals, smaller fish and even other sharks but, Colossus, being the largest most threatening shark in his habitat will take over feeding and eat whatever he likes.
Colossus was first sighted in False Bay in 2011 by scientists Chris Fallows and Jeff Kurr, he was seen again hunting in 2012 but was absent in 2013, Colossus was gone for two winters before being seen again in July 2014. He was present in the surrounding waters of Seal Island for two weeks before breaching above the surface in aerial predation. The shark experts expect that Colossus’ breaching was a learnt behaviour from viewing the other sharks around the island.
Like any human fingerprint a sharks dorsal fin is unique and special. Every sharks dorsal fin can be used as a way of identifying them. Along with having a rare appearance each shark has it’s own special personality. Colossus has scars and markings that give the scientists the ability to single him out. Colossus has shark lice in his eyes and many scars around his right eye. He also has a large piece of his dorsal fin missing. Not only do these markings help identify the sharks but also show that they have many battle scars.
As part of research shark scientists Alison Towner, Jeff Kurr and Chris Fallows have constructed many gadgets to experience and discover new facts about the amazing creature. One of the gadgets created was the ‘Robo Seal’. This experiment was used to find out how the sharks would react to a newcomer. They also were interested to see how much the seals could tolerate. when the results came back the scientists found that the sharks hit the seals with 29 g-force this is almost always a certain death for humans. Chris Fallows also created the W.A.S.P Water Armour Shark Protection so he was able to get up close and personal with the magnificent creatures, this experiment proved a success when Chris came face to face with an enormous 18 ft great white in Stewart Island, NZ.
The other object made was the seal sled this was used to get photos of the sharks breaching and attacking the seals. Jeff Kurr lay on the seal sled waiting as a seal decoy floated 5 metres ahead of him, many sharks surrounded Jeff as he lay waiting. The shark scientists were hopeful but after 90 long minutes the team decided it best to return to the boat. All of a sudden Colossus lept into the air and completely obliterated the decoy in one bite.
After Colossus left False Bay shark experts Alison, Chris and Jeff traveled to New Zealand to explore whether Colossus had swum to another continent. During their visit at Stewart Island they used the W.A.S.P to look for Colossus in the ocean. While Chris was down in the water he found many sharks from 12-15 ft. After being down for almost an hour Chris was amazed to see an enormous male shark about 18 ft long.
Colossus, even as a newcomer, has adapted well to the waters around Seal Island and is continuing to do so. He is a unique and magnificent creature patrolling the ‘ring of death’ in False Bay, South Africa.
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