Do sharks mean to attack people?

Question

do sharks think the person is a fish?

Answer 1

Ironically, sharks don't seem to much like the taste of human beings.

Usually it's a case of "mistaken" identity, where they thought they were going after seals or some other aquatic food source. This is especially common when a human is paddling on a surfboard/kickboard -- the silhouette is that of a seal.

Many times a shark will take a bite, then leave. Not nearly all shark attacks are fatal, often they're just long enough for the shark to decide better cuisine lies elsewhere.

(Sharks in a "feeding frenzy" are a different story, where they simply attack anything within range.)

I think they are terrifying simply because (1) it reminds us we are not in control as much as we think, (2) it dehumanizes us since the shark is viewing us as mere "food" rather than sentient beings with feelings, (3) the shark comes out of nowhere and could be lurking anywhere out of sight in the water, waiting to strike (at least, that's what it feels like), (4) physically we are weaker than the shark in its element, and (5) the wounds are terrible ones to suffer and/or look at, and loss of limbs and thus disability can occur.

I think #2 is why people often "feel" as if sharks are evil.

Answer 2

The vast majority of shark attacks are essentially a single bite, and scientists suggest this means sharks only need one bite to realize that a human does not have the high-fat content of a seal. In other words, humans aren't the "junk food" sharks prefer if they're going to attack that big an animal!

That being said, some sharks do bite more than once. Everybody's taste is different, I guess.

In the US in general, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than bit by a shark. Out here in Hawaii, you are actually 8 times more likely to be bit by a shark than to be struck by lightning, but that's mainly because we have very little lightning (I've heard thunder maybe 4 times in 6 years living in Hawaii) and lots of ocean recreation, all year round.

Answer 3

No. When a shark bites a human, it doesn't use the full force of its jaw. It is doing a "taste test". This is why after one bite the shark usually goes away. We are not part of their normal diet so even in cases where the shark severs an arm or a leg, they usually spit it back out which suggests that we are not a good food for them to eat.

Answer 4

No, sharks mistake humans as their natural food source such as seals. Most sharks that do bite humans do what is known as a test bite. You know see if what they have bitten is something that they want to eat like a nice blubber filled seal. It is on rare occasion and out of character for a shark to attack and kill humans as a food source. BUT that does not mean you should jump in the sea with a great white or anything that has the ability to eat you.

Answer 5

nope. a lot of the times sharks mistake feet as small fish or small children as fish. If you are bleeding they attack since they think you are wounded. They can smell a drop of blood a mile away. (I really don't know how scientist come up with this stuff). Sometimes sharks will try and eat anything to live.

Answer 6

No.
I actually live across a beach that gets infested with Sharks for a few weeks/days during the summer.
They are simply curious as to what you are.
Fact:70% of the people attacked by sharks are wearing wet suits/are surfers or snorklers/scuba divers.
This is because the wet suit has a similar texture as a seal or water creature look. So basically if you're bit, they thought you were food.
They are more afraid of humans than we're afraid of them.

Answer 7

Shark attacks are usually because of mistaken identity in murky water or being close the where prey animals live. There are a few sharks that will attack people. The bull shark is on of them and it will enter fresh water rivers and drainage ditchs that enter the ocean.

Answer 8

Normally no. But sometimes people appear to be seals ( laying on a surfboard). Other times people encroch on their territory an anger them. Sharks are also subject to feeding frenzys when they start eating or taste blood in the water they go nuts. But remember many sharks are naturally agressive being the top predator in thier environment and think everything is food.

Answer 9

not alway sometime people are attacked on perpose but some agersive sharks will like bullshark. If most other sharks do attack someone it is most like out
1) sell like blood
or
2) are making spalshing movements like a fish

Sharks can not tell if their food is food without blood or spalshing so they go one those cule they would eat a shark if there was blood.

Answer 10

Sharks will attack in self defence or if they're hungry. The strange thing is though that a shark will only attack a human being if he/she is wet, so as long as you stay dry you've nothing to fear.