1000-pound 11-foot great white shark “Maple” has surfaced off the coast of Florida.

ST. GEORGE ISLAND, Florida (VESH) — The great white shark Maple was sighted Monday morning about 43 miles southeast of St. George Island, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, according to tracking data from OCEARCH, a non-profit organization that tracks sea ​​life.

The maple, named after Canada’s national symbol, has spent most of its winter in the Gulf of Mexico over the past two seasons, according to OCEARCH.

The MV OCEARCH research vessel has been tracking the 11ft 7in female shark since it was spotted off the coast of Nova Scotia in 2021. better understand their behavior and movement patterns.

The 1,264-pound shark was also noted for a characteristic wound on the left side of its body, likely caused by a collision with a larger white shark. According to the research team’s initial assessment, Maple’s injury was likely the result of dominant behavior, which is common in the animal kingdom. Dominance behavior may include the non-lethal bite of a larger animal of the same species, which is a way of asserting dominance over a smaller counterpart.

White sharks are known for their long-distance migrations, and the presence of maples in the Gulf of Mexico is not uncommon. Warm waters and an abundance of prey make it an attractive wintering ground for this species.

The-CNN-Wire and © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc. a Time Warner company. All rights reserved.