In this article, we will be looking at whether sharks fight each other. In addition to this, we know that you want to learn as much as possible about sharks. This is why we will look at other shark-related topics too.
Do sharks fight each other? Surprisingly, they don’t fight each other as much as you might think. Incredibly, sharks tend to ignore many other sharks. However, the Great White Shark will occasionally attack each other.
Shockingly, this isn’t because they are blood-thirsty beings. It’s because the sharks are thought to keep them away from sharks being caught. Interestingly, when a shark is caught it sends out a distress signal or two. Impressively, this distress signal is picked up by some rival sharks. The rival shark now knows there’s an opportunity to get an easy meal.
Still to come in this article, we will look at why sharks attack humans. We’ll also look at whether sharks like human blood.
Studies have shown that sharks have been eating each other for millions of years. The prehistoric orthacanthus lives 300 million years ago. This shark had fossilised shark faeces. The faeces contained baby shark teeth. This finding shows that these sharks were cannibals. Shark on shark predation is normal.
Why Do Sharks Attack Humans?
Sharks are known to attack humans. They don’t attack them on purpose. Movies show us sharks deliberately attacking humans. However, this is not realistic. In reality, sharks attack humans when they’re curious or confused.
Humans hunt sharks for their meat, skin, internal organs, and fins. Sharks, therefore, have more to fear from us. Sharks will attack humans if they mistake them for food. Interestingly sharks don’t like the taste of humans. Humans aren’t fatty enough. Sharks prefer seal ions, small whales and seals.
If a shark bites into a human they will spit them out. There is not enough fat for the sharks to survive on.
When people surf or swim in shark-infested waters they put themselves at risk. The sharks are there to hunt and/or breed. A shark will see movement in the water and think a seal is causing the movement. This is why they will attack.
Do Sharks Like Human Blood?
No. Amazingly, they don’t find human blood interesting. Incredibly, this is because they like bleeding fishes or sea lions. Be aware, to a shark, human blood doesn’t seem that different to other mammal blood. You need to be careful in the water. Incredibly, sharks won’t hunt for human blood. Impressively, they hunt for seals, sea lion, and fish blood. This is because the injured seal is an easier catch. Incredibly, humans aren’t easy to catch. In other words, if you’re bleeding, you should not expect to be bitten. However, staying out the water would be wise. Just in case.
Do Sharks Attack Humans on Surfboards?
Yes. However, it’s usually a case of mistaken identity. A hunting shark needs to quickly decide whether they want to capture something that could be a meal. This is why mistakes are made. In that split second, the shark could assume you’re a tasty meal. If a shark thinks you’re a meal they will bite down using 40,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. That’s a lot of pressure.
Most shark attacks are unprovoked. They might inflict a bite or laceration and swim away. Amazingly, the shark will learn not to eat you. Incredibly, this is because you did not taste good.
Some sharks circle then bump their prey. This is before they attack. If you are circled by a shark you need to get out the water quickly.
Don’t splash around.
Don’t loose sight of the shark. Watch the shark all the time.
Back away, try to get something behind you such as a coral reef or a boat.
If a shark cannot attack you from behind they are less likely to attack.
If you can, get out of the water.
Grab something to use as a weapon. Use anything you can find.
Aim for the shark’s eyes and fins. Incredibly, these areas are the most vulnerable. Amazingly, some people have survived because they have attacked the shark. Attack as if your life depends on it, because it does.
How Many Shark Attacks Were There in 2020?
In 2020, there were approximately 130 alleged attacks. Amazingly there were 57 unprovoked attacks recorded. In other words, the human did not provoke the shark. There were 30 provoked attacks. Incredibly, this means the human initiated the attack in some way.
Astoundingly, some humans deliberately provoke sharks. Nonetheless, the shark attacks are terrifying. However, deliberately provoking a shark is not a good idea. Incredibly, some people try to feed sharks. Without a doubt, this is not a good idea. Astoundingly, other people try to remove a shark from a fishing net. This can result in a shark bit. Nonetheless, the shark does not understand the human is trying to help.
33 cases of shark attacks involved motorized vessels. Another case involved a diver in an aquarium. Some people claimed to have been bitten by a shark. In reality, they were stung by a stingray or an eel. This means sharks were innocent. It can be easy to think you were bitten by a shark. Sharks have a bad name. When someone is injured a shark can be blamed.
It’s usually a case of mistaken identity. A hunting shark needs to quickly decide whether they want to capture something that could be a meal. This is why mistakes are made. In that split second, the shark could assume you’re a tasty meal. If a shark thinks you’re a meal they will bite down using 40,000 pounds of pressure per square inch. That’s a lot of pressure. Avoid it if you can.
Most shark attacks are unprovoked. They might inflict a bite or laceration and swim away. The shark will learn not to eat you. This is because you did not taste good. You are not a shark’s ideal meal. This is good news. It could save your life.
Which Shark Kills the Most Humans?
Most people think Great White Sharks are the worst. This is not the case. Bull sharks can be the worst. Bull sharks swim in fresh water. This is where humans tend to spend time. In 1916, one bull shark killed 4 people in 2 weeks. This shows how vicious they are.
Incredibly, the Oceanic Whitetip has a bad reputation. During war time, this shark is usually the first to visit a sinking ship. Shockingly, in World War 11, the shark had a feeding frenzy. The men were waiting for help. Nevertheless, the shark killed many of them. The men might have been bleeding. The shark would have noticed the blood. Unfortunately, the shark would have thought the men were prey. Incredibly, some of the men survived. Only 192 men survived. The ship had nearly 1,000 on board to begin with. Some of them drowned. Some of them were attacked by sharks.
Shortfin Mako
The Shortfin Mako has received a lot of blame. However, sometimes humans were to blame. Unfortunately, fishermen have been injured. They were dragging the nets in. The shark attacked. This shark is the fastest swimmer. Without a doubt, it can easily get tangled in a net. The shark will attack. They are afraid and will fight. Fishermen get injured. Unfortunately, this results in the shark getting a bad name.
Tiger Sharks
Astoundingly, Tiger sharks are dangerous. They are very big and vicious. Tiger sharks are curious. They spot humans and want to look closer. This is only natural. Shockingly, Tiger sharks are the second most dangerous. They can be very aggressive. Stay away from Tiger sharks. You could get hurt.
Great White Sharks
Great White sharks are well-known to humans. They are the worst. They attack more humans that other sharks. Incredibly, they can be up to 14 feet long. When a human is in the water the shark mistakes their silhouette for prey. Unfortunately, this means the human is in danger. Incredibly, divers can also be at risk. Great white sharks attack unfamiliar things. This is to see if they’re ok to eat. Unfortunately, we don’t know how many great white sharks exist. They are solitary. They don’t breed a lot. Astonishingly, this means scientists don’t know how many are in existence.