What species of shark attacks the swimmers in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws?

A great white shark attacks the swimmers in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws.

Released in 1975, Jaws follows police chief Martin Brody, marine biologist Matt Hooper, and shark hunter Quint as they pursue a huge predator threatening the fictional resort community of Amity Island. The animal is identified in the story as a great white shark, although the mechanical shark used during filming was nicknamed Bruce.

Spielberg’s film was adapted from Peter Benchley’s 1974 novel. Production difficulties with the mechanical shark led Spielberg to conceal the creature for much of the movie, relying on music, camera movement, and the characters’ reactions to suggest its presence. That technique helped make the unseen threat especially suspenseful.

Some viewers remember the film simply as a “shark movie,” but its specific animal is important: the great white is a real species known for its size and predatory reputation. Jaws also helped establish the modern summer blockbuster after its wide release in June 1975.