DO SHARK HUNT PEOPLE? WHY SHARK ATTACK
The majority of more than 400 different shark species are harmless to humans.
Those that are known to be ‘dangerous’ to humans number around 10 of those 400 known species of sharks.
Worldwide there are less than 100 shark attacks every year. Less than 20 result in a death. And usually, this is caused by blood loss.
A shark actually eating a human is rare and extremely unlikely - as we are not a natural prey item. Experts have found that if a shark bites human flesh, it will often spit it out or vomit it up.
Yes, sharks can detect blood in water in minute quantities. However, some studies have shown that they are only really attracted to blood / body oils from fish and marine mammals - their natural prey.
Experiments have shown that sharks respond most strongly to odours produced by injured or distressed prey. The same prey if healthy and uninjured does not produce such a strong response from the shark.
Sharks are mistakenly thought to be ‘eating machines’. But because many species are cold-blooded, some eat only about 2 percent of their body weight each day. That's slightly less than humans typically eat. They can even go for months without eating at all.
Most Common Reasons Sharks Bite Humans:
Mistaken Identity - from below the waters surface, the silhouette of a swimmer or surfer looks very similar in size and shape to a sea lion or turtle.
Poor Visibility - murky, turbid and choppy water makes it difficult for a shark to see / smell / identify it’s prey.
Time of Day - Sharks naturally look for food around sunset, sunrise and at night time. People in the water at these times are more at risk.
Location - The mouths of rivers and lakes normally have poor water conditions and often are breeding grounds for fish. Which makes an ideal place for sharks to find food.
Fish Schools - Often large schools of baitfish are seen near the coast. These are a natural prey item for sharks and therefore are an attractive food source. Do not enter the water if there are large numbers of fish present, or if you are near an area where fish are being caught / cleaned.
Shared Habitat - Some sharks such as the Bull Shark can inhabit places where humans are also present, such as canals, estuaries and rivers. Simply by sharing the same environment - we are more at risk of an accidental bite. Even more so, considering the poor visibility and silty water conditions often found in rivers.
Shark Safety
Avoid swimming at dusk, dawn and night time. These are the times when sharks are most actively searching for food.
Avoid poor conditions, such as murky and turbid water. Including river mouths and estuaries. Bad conditions may hamper a sharks visibility and sense of smell.
Don’t swim alone.
Avoid entering the water if large numbers of dolphins, sea birds or fish are present. Dolphins and sea birds could indicate a large fish school, which may also attract sharks.
Be aware of shared habitat areas such as rivers and canals.
Don’t harass or threaten sharks. Sharks will normally only attack if threatened.
Understanding shark behaviour and biology is a great way of raising your own awareness about shark.
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