White Shark Vertebra (IMAGE) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Caption Estimating age in white sharks can be challenging. While vertebrae are constructed of layers of tissue, laid down sequentially over an individual's lifetime, the alternating light/dark banding patterns can be narrow and less distinct than in other species, and the bands don't necessarily signify annual growth. Credit Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Usage Restrictions With proper credit in a piece featuring the research License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.