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While it happens rarely, great white sharks have occasionally bit humans. However, now scientists have a better understanding of why these rare tragedies occur. And it might not be the reasons that you think…
Great While Sharks Make Mistakes, Too
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Each year, great whites attack roughly 75 people around the world, resulting in less than 5 deaths globally. However, while its one of the least common ways to die, scientists still want to know exactly why people are attacked. Especially since great white sharks have become endangered, partially due to humans’ fear of them. However, that fear is unfounded! As it turns out, its not because people taste great or that great white sharks will eat anything. Instead, according to recent research from Australia’s Macquarie University in Sydney, its actually because the sharks confuse people for seals. That’s right!
According to the study, people who swim or paddleboard in suits look a lot like seals and sea lions, two of the most common meals for great whites. “White sharks are often portrayed as ‘mindless killers’ and ‘fond of human flesh,’ however, this does not seem to be the case, we just look like their food,” said study lead author Laura Ryan, a neurobiologist, and postdoctoral researcher at Macquarie University in Australia. “Understanding why shark bites occur can help us find ways to prevent them, while keeping both humans and sharks safer.”
And the way they completed the study is quite interesting…
Understanding The Predator
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To complete the study, the team watched videos seals, sea lions, and humans swimming, comparing their strokes. “We attached a GoPro to an underwater scooter, and set it to travel at a typical cruising speed for predatory sharks,” Ryan said in a statement. From below, where sharks would see them, all the creatures looked nearly identical. Its really no wonder that sharks get confused!
“I knew there would be some similarities but maybe not to the extent we found,” Ryan said. “Specifically, I thought swimmers might not be as similar as a surfer to a seal as they typically aren’t involved in as many shark bites. However, the swimmers were also difficult to tell apart from a seal.”
Thankfully, there are some tips for all you swimmers and surfers that can keep you safe! For instance, longboard surfboards look a lot less like seals than shortboards and swimmers. However, the colors on surfboards and wetsuits make no difference to the shark – sharks are completely colorblind.
