Sharks How Dangerous Are They?

var pubId=6950; var siteId=8401; var kadId=5578; var kadwidth=300; var kadheight=250; var kadtype=1; Although the Hollywood image of sharks has left many people afraid of the water, it is important to be aware of the fact that sharks are not seeking out humans as prey. In fact, shark attacks on humans usually only result in a single bite and they would prefer to eat their typical food rather than humans.

What do these sleek hunters of the deep eat? Largely sea creatures, ranging from fish to seals and other mid-sized aquatic life. Natural selection has served these animals well, resulting in swift quick movements and the glint of sharp teeth. If their appearance scares us, consider how fearsome it must be to smaller prey.

It is often when people mimic prey animals' behavior, though, that they're in any danger from a shark. Swimming far out from shore, flailing about while riding a surf board trying to catch the next big wave, they've put themselves in position to be mistaken for an injured seal. The people may not know what they've done, but it's no different from the guy who jumped in for a swim just as the tide was going out and was dragged out to sea. They're just doing the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Nevertheless, out of the millions of people who visit beaches each year, only about 12 are killed by sharks. Also, there are just about 90 shark attacks yearly, with many of them being just bumps or nudges, usually only leaving a bruise. Of course it is a tragedy whenever an accident occurs, but we must remember that these are accidents and not intentional actions on the part of sharks.

It is interesting that falling coconuts are more of a danger to people than sharks are. It is a rare event when even the aggressive sharks such as the great white shark or the tiger shark attack a human. Driving your car is vastly more dangerous as in the USA more than 40,000 people die from vehicle accidents each year.

Of course any victim of a shark attack deserves sympathy. But in the wake of a shark attack, pity the innocent sharks that will be killed because of fear, anger, or retaliation. A shark isn't like a person; you can't explain to it why it's being punished. Our two options are to eradicate sharks completely or learn to coexist with them in peace. And trying to get rid of all sharks just won't work.