Sharks are cold-blooded killers
“[A common belief many people hold is that] sharks are intent on harming us and will ‘assault’ as soon as our big toe touches the water,” explains shark scientist Blake Chapman, PhD, who authored
Shark Attacks: misconceptions, misperceptions, and human fear
“. Yet, each year, millions of individuals swim near sharks without being aware of their presence, and the majority remain unharmed. Only an extremely small number of people experience unpleasant interactions with sharks.” Indeed, these 22 creatures are significantly less dangerous than commonly perceived.
more dangerous to humans than sharks
.
They acquire a preference for eating humans.
Experts concur that many unprovoked shark bites often appear to be investigative in nature—basically saying, “What’s this here? Could it be food?” These incidents typically involve large, predatory species like great white sharks, bull sharks, and tiger sharks, which usually prey on seals and other marine mammals.
those most prone to biting individuals
According to the National Geographic Society, as highlighted by the National Ocean Service, sharks have been evolving for hundreds of millions of years prior to human existence; hence, we are the newcomers compared to them.
not originally part of what they would naturally eat
. The majority of sharks primarily feed on smaller marine life such as fish and squid. To provide further assurance, consider these additional points:
comforting—and fascinating—facts about sharks
.
Female sharks require males to reproduce.
Certain female sharks possess the
power of parthenogenesis
—The capability to fertilize their own eggs and produce offspring without a male shark. This phenomenon is typically observed in plants and insects such as wasps, ants, and bees.
Dolphins terrify sharks.
You might have come across the belief that spotting dolphins in the water indicates it’s “safe” to swim since sharks supposedly stay far away. However, this notion about sharks and dolphins isn’t accurate.
frequently sail through the same areas
Due to their shared diet, which includes schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans, as reported by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, both dolphins and sharks consume similar prey. Additionally, they can be predatory towards one another; dolphins may eat smaller shark species, whereas larger sharks have been observed attacking dolphins.
All sharks are identical.
‘Sharks’ often receive negative attention, yet they come in more than 500 distinct varieties, each uniquely different from one another,” explains Dr. Chapman. “These creatures are real masters of survival and evolution. Their design is impeccable for meeting all sorts of requirements such as adapting to various environments, fulfilling dietary needs, hunting prey, seeking out partners, and even evading threats themselves. Consequently, there isn’t just one typical shark; rather, we have over 500 extraordinary beings worthy of our understanding.
Although many shark species develop considerable size and possess sharp teeth, the biggest ones—such as whale sharks and basking sharks, which often reach lengths of up to 40 feet—are gentle creatures with no threat posed towards people. Additionally, numerous small shark varieties also exist; take, for instance, the dwarf lantern shark, which is minuscule enough to rest comfortably within an outstretched human hand. Another example includes the coral catshark, typically growing only slightly longer than two feet, thus rendering these diminutive fishes highly sought after additions to personal fish tanks. Nonetheless, there remains
One kind of shark you’ll find
never
see in an aquarium.
Sharks have no predators
As mentioned earlier, dolphins occasionally consume small sharks. Furthermore, orcas—which are the largest species within the dolphin family—even do this as well.
assault and prey upon great whites
According to the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, but the primary danger to sharks comes from humans. Studies indicate that humans are responsible for killing approximately
100 million each year
Unfortunately, declining shark numbers might adversely impact the ocean ecosystem—as key aquatic predators, they play an essential role in maintaining balance in our seas.
Shark nets are an effective method for safeguarding swimmers.
Australia ranks second globally for unprovoked shark bites, following the United States, as per research conducted by Dr. Chapman along with her co-author Daryl McPhee, Ph.D., who is an environmental science associate professor at Bond University. The majority of these incidents occur near the coast of New South Wales, states the ISAF. To safeguard swimmers and surfers, the Australian government has taken measures.
has conducted tests of shark nets in the region
For numerous years, people have aimed to capture aggressive shark species like great whites and bull sharks, which are most prone to human bites. However, during this time, many other creatures—including several endangered ones—have ended up ensnared in these traps. During a particular five-month span, among the total of 145 animals captured,
Only two were targeted as shark targets.
As reported in the media, the majority of creatures ensnared in these nets do not survive.
If sharks cease swimming, they will perish.
Sharks possess multiple gill slits on either side of their necks—while swimming, water enters through their mouths and passes over their gills, with the gills extracting oxygen from the water. Great white sharks, makos, and whale sharks rely solely on this method for respiration and do not have another means to breathe.
They must continuously swim to obtain oxygen.
According to the Smithsonian Institution, some species do so, but numerous others can draw water into their mouths and filter it through their gills independently whilst remaining still. This includes nurse sharks, angel sharks, as well as the uniquely shaped tasseled wobbegongs.
Shark fins possess therapeutic benefits.
Shark fin soup is considered a luxury dish in China and has historically been thought to offer health advantages. However, contemporary researchers highlight that shark flesh, particularly from their fins, often contains significant levels of mercury and various contaminants. Additionally, extensive shark hunting, largely driven by demand for these expensive soups, leads to the death of as many as
One hundred million animals annually
, putting various distinct species at risk, and possibly even threatening the entire marine ecosystem.
If you get bitten by a shark, you’re done for.
You have more than double the chance
to perish due to a lightning bolt
More people get injured from accidents than from shark bites, as reported by the Florida Museum’s International Shark Attack File (ISAF). Moreover, even if you do experience a shark bite, “most individuals manage to survive,” states Dr. Chapman. In 2018 globally, there were 66 instances of unprovoked shark attacks, with just six resulting in death, according to the ISAF records.
