why don't sharks like the taste of humans?

Question

experts say most sharks don't like humans, and once they "taste" humans, the sharks will leave them alone (with the notable exceptions of some aggressive sharks like tiger sharks)...

so, why would a shark like, say, a sea lion, or a big fat tuna, or marine mammals, but not humans? anybody? anybody?

Answer 1

first, the idea that they don't "like how we taste" is just a theory. that is, it explains some observations but hasn't been empirically tested (for obvious reasons!). it's basically a hypothesis to cover why so many "bite-and-spit" attacks take place, where a shark briefly attacks a person and then swims away and leaves them there.

notably, however, there are other theories that cover this--for example, that plenty of bite-and-spit events are territorial warnings, or that this is a common feeding habit for some species where they bite, wait for the prey to weaken and die, and then return when there's not so much risk of retaliation and possible injury to the shark.

if the "taste" theory is true, one major theory out there is that sharks have chemosensory capabilities to gauge how much fat is in prey. and let me tell you, we are a hell of a lot less fatty than a seal or sea lion. (obese though many of us may be, we don't need an insulating layer for constant coldwater diving.) so according to that theory, the shark would bite, realize the person isn't worth the effort, and go away.

this theory has really come in based on great white shark attacks, where bite-and-spit patterns seem fairly common in both human and natural prey (e.g. seal) situations. if they do this, and tiger or bull sharks don't, then there's probably an ecological reason for it, like where a white shark bites and backs off from a seal, whereas say a reef shark might bite as a territoriality or perceived threat thing.

but, bottom line, nobody knows, and any "expert theory"you hear is still a theory, even if it's from an expert.

Answer 2

Humans do not possess the massive amount of body fat that other prey items of most sharks tend to attack. Sharks tend to focus on seals, large fish, and even cetaceans. However, there are some sharks that will eat just about anything (including man) and their aggressive nature seems to stem from their generalized eating habits, like Whitetip, Mako, and Tiger Sharks.

Answer 3

They like the seals meat, and they aren't used to eating people. They usually mistake a human for being a seal, and get quite the surprize. Just like if you were expecting your favorite food, and had your heart set on tasting that delicious morsel... and all of a sudden you chomp into something that you have never tasted before, and you don't like it the same way you don't like weird, unusual food that you don't ever try like tofu or brussel sprouts or steamed worms....

Answer 4

They have evolved over time to hunt prey that meets their nutrional needs and that can easily be hunted in their ocean environments. People aren't common in the oceans like their normal prey. They have learned what tastes like food and what doesn't.

Answer 5

sea lions and tuna, etc. have more fat to them, which has protein, which makes the shark healtier :D

Answer 6

shhhaa.. if you tasted a human then you'd know. I don't care what anyone says, take it from me, we do NOT taste like chicken.

Answer 7

why don't you like the taste of dog food? The taste just dosn't appeal to them.

Answer 8

You noticed how poop stinks? Well, that's how our insides smell. Who wants to eat something (raw, may I add) and the insides smell bad? At least one can cure and cook bad smells out of cows, pigs, chicken, etc.

Answer 9

They ran out of hot sauce.
And we're too much fat... they're all watching their cholesterol.

Answer 10

Interesting question - I hope someone knows the answer.