| Recently, sharks have been getting a lot of press. | | | | person floating on a boogie board is really a seal. |
| From the man who caught a shark with his bare | | | | This notion is backed by the fact that sharks often bite |
| hands to the man who escaped from the mouth of | | | | a person once, and then retreat. In the shark's mind, |
| another, sharks are making themselves hot news. | | | | they are leaving the prey to die, allowing the shark to |
| Move over Flipper, it's the sharks turn for fame. | | | | retrieve its dinner later without a challenge. This may |
| Of course, this isn't the first time sharks have been | | | | be the case with a seal - biting a seal may very well |
| noticed. From the Jersey Shore Shark Attacks of 1916, | | | | cause it to die - but many humans are able to escape |
| in which five people were attacked over a span of | | | | by summonsing help. The fact that the shark retreats |
| eleven days, to the 79 attacks that occurred in 2000, | | | | signals that it believes what it has bitten is an animal. |
| most of us don't go into the ocean without keeping an | | | | Of course, it's always possible that the shark retreats |
| eye out for a dorsal fin and an ear out for the theme | | | | simply because humans don't taste very good. |
| song from Jaws. Still, no matter what we fear, sharks | | | | Perhaps we need salt. |
| aren't really man-eating machines. That's not to say | | | | How to Avoid an Attack |
| people should seek them out with words of "here | | | | The surest way to avoid a shark attack is to simply |
| fishy, fishy, fishy," but being scared to go into the water | | | | stay out of the ocean. This may not be plausible for |
| isn't necessary either. | | | | those who enjoy sea-going activities. Thus, other |
| Separating Myth from Reality | | | | forms of precaution should be employed. |
| It may seem like the ocean is filled with hundreds of | | | | First of all, if a certain area has been recently |
| sharks, licking their lips and waiting for the sight of an | | | | experiencing a significant number of attacks, stay out |
| unknowing human. This, however, is a misconception. | | | | of that area. Sharks are not like lightening; they will |
| Only a small percentage of sharks have ever harmed | | | | attack the same place twice. Staying with others is |
| humans; with over 360 species, only four types have | | | | also a good idea as sharks are much more likely to |
| been involved in a measurable number of attacks: the | | | | attack a lone individual than they are an entire group. |
| tiger shark, the bull shark, the oceanic whitetip, and the | | | | Location and time of day are also key. For instance, |
| great white. | | | | sharks are less likely to attack near the shore and |
| When sharks do attack, nearly half the attacks are | | | | much more likely to attack near sand bars and drop |
| provoked. People are either following the sharks, | | | | offs. Sharks are also on the hunt during darkness and |
| teasing them, or making them feel somehow | | | | twilight hours. |
| threatened. Unprovoked shark attacks do happen, but | | | | Even something as simple as clothing can mean the |
| not often. In 2005, for example, 58 unprovoked shark | | | | difference between being attacked and being ignored. |
| attacks were recorded. Out of these, four of them | | | | Sharks are more likely to attack people wearing shiny |
| were fatal. | | | | jewelry or bright colored clothing. This is because |
| Why They Attack | | | | sharks have a keen sense of contrast. Sharks are |
| The reason sharks attack is somewhat of a mystery, | | | | also drawn to blood so entering the ocean while |
| one that will probably never be solved. It's not, after all, | | | | bleeding increases the risk. Any kind of excessive |
| like we can simply ask them. However, a number of | | | | movement, including splashing or erratic motions, are |
| theories exist in an attempt to provide some answers. | | | | also attractive to sharks. |
| As with any creature, a shark may attack based on | | | | When it comes down to it, most people can go into |
| instinct if it feels threatened or territorial. For | | | | the ocean without ever even seeing a shark. Yet, any |
| unprovoked attacks, the most likely reason is that | | | | environment with wildlife has its risks. Being smart and |
| sharks mistake people for prey, believing that the | | | | aware of the dangers can make a sea of difference. |