why do sharks attack human?

Question

The shark thinks that human are their meals

Answer 1

sharks eat things that swim. they don't know that they aren't supposed to eat humans. to a shark you are just food

Answer 2

According to an article that I read when I was in a marine biology class, sharks approach previously unknown objects with curiosity. Seeing how sharks do not have hands to feel the new objects out they do the only thing they can, feel with their mouth. I'm sure this is not always the case, but it may be possible that if a curious shark came upon a human and was curious that maybe the human might overreact and in the process either frighten the shark or aggravate the shark so that it might either accidently or purposely "attack" said human?

Answer 3

Shark attacks on humans are more usually accidents rather than pre-determined. Most sharks will let the human go once they discover that it isn't their regular food.

Most sharks actually do not like the taste of humans. The problem with fatality resulting from a shark attack is when a human is bitten by a particularly large shark (Great White, Hammerhead, Tiger, etc...) ; often that one simple bite (the "taste test") is enough to incapacitate if not kill a human.

The Tiger shark is known to be the most vicious of all breeds, since it will in fact eact ANYthing, including humans. The Tiger shark is highly unpredictable and when provoked or hungry, will attack anything thjat moves, including humans.

The Great White shark is actually known to NOT like the taste of human flesh. But the Great White is also an unpredictable breed, very big, and often one single bite (the "taste test") is enough to kill a human. Some Great Whites have been known to bite humans once, let them bleed to death, and then eat the carcass. But the Great White prefers other foods like Otters and Sea Lions.

So sharks in general do not enjoy attacking and killing humans. The recent increasing number of shark attacks on humans can be explained easilly:
1) Humans are depleting natural ressources; we are in fact eating the sharks' food supply in the oceans, which results in sharks having to find alternate forms of nourishment.
2) There are more humans in the water. More moving vibrations in the water means more sharks will respond to the stimuli and investigate. Sharks are curious and will tend to come in close to see if humans are food, and often a bite is the factor which decides if the shark will want to feed on the humans.
3) There is more shark tourism than ever, thus confusing the shark as to what is this new type of organic life in their waters. Sharks are curious and unpredictable, and will attack when provoked. So the more humans in the water, the more chance of provocation, and thus more chances of shark attacks.

Tips to avoid shark attacks:
a) Don't go in the water. The ocean is not humanity's domain. The ocean belongs to the creatures which have survived millions of years of evolution. Sharks are the ultimate predator underwater. It is their domain; their "rule". When you go in the ocean you must realise that you are enterting THEIR domain, and you (the human) are no longer the "superior" form of life.
b) AVoid the open sea
c) don't go in water deeper than 2 feet.
d) don't provoke a shark if you encounter one
e) don't panic; the racing heartbeat will create a vibration which is captured by shark as a fish in peril. This means dinner time for the shark.
f) If you spot a shark, don't lose it; a shark's main way of attack is though suprise; it will circle you a couple of times and when he (the shark) feels you are most vulnerable, will attack.

Obviously I am but an amateur, but I have studied sharks and their "behaviour" for many years now. The best thing to do is not go in the water. Safer to go to the pool!

Cheers!

Answer 4

It is proof by science that 90% of the shark attacks on humans are accidents by the confusion with some of their favorite prays... principally: seals...
The other 10% of the cases involve frenzy feeding -irresponsible- approach or bleeding attraction...
Normally sharks (as any other animal) will try to stay away from humans track...
If you pay attention to the news on sharks attacking humans, will find that most of the cases had occurred in surfing areas... well, the shark from below can see a flat belie with short (2) legs moving on the water... just like a seal... yummy!!!
That's why, with the years, surfers prefer shinning boards to make clear: I'm not a seal...
Sharks are not terrible creatures, they are particularly important for the cleaning of the seas... just like ugly but important vultures out there... sharks can be seeing as the vultures of the sea...

Answer 5

No one knows exactly why sharks attack humans BUT alot can be said for their mode of dress while in waters where sharks are known to be

Although shark attacks can seem vicious and brutal, it's important to remember that sharks aren't evil creatures constantly on the lookout for humans to attack. They are animals obeying their instincts, like all other animals. As predators at the top of the ocean food chain, sharks are designed to hunt and eat large amounts of meat. A shark's diet consists of other sea creatures -- mainly fish, sea turtles, whales, sea lions, and seals. Humans are not on the menu. In fact, humans don't provide enough high-fat meat for sharks, which need a lot of energy to power their large, muscular bodies.

If sharks aren't interested in eating humans, why do they attack us? The first clue comes in the pattern that most shark attacks take. In the majority of recorded attacks, the shark bites the victim, hangs on for a few seconds (possibly dragging the victim through the water or under the surface), and then lets go. It is very rare for a shark to make repeated attacks and actually feed on a human victim. The shark is simply mistaking a human for something it usually eats. Once the shark gets a taste, it realizes that this isn't its usual food, and it lets go.


To a shark, a surfer paddling on a surfboard
can look a lot like its typical prey.

The shark's confusion is easier to understand once we start to look at things from the shark's point of view. Many attack victims are surfers or people riding boogie boards. A shark swimming below sees a roughly oval shape with arms and legs dangling off, paddling along. This bears a close resemblance to a sea lion (the main prey of great white sharks) or a sea turtle (a common food for tiger sharks).

Attacks have also frequently occurred when humans were spear fishing in ocean waters. Sharks are attracted to the signs given off by dying fish -- the smell of blood in the water and the electrical impulses given off as the fish struggles. Sharks detect these signals with their ampullae of Lorenzini, a set of "detectors" under the skin on a shark's snout. The ampullae are electrically sensitive cells that connect to the skin's surface through small tubes. Once a shark arrives on the scene, it may become agitated and aggressive in the presence of so much food. A hungry, excited shark can easily mistake a human for its usual prey.

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Ninety percent or more of shark incidents are mistakes. They assume that we're something that we are not.-says .. Gary Adkison, diver ("Sharkbite! Surviving the Great White")

Answer 6

It is the nature of this carniverous fish to taste objects that it perceives as a possible meal. In a frenzy, sharks will bite anything.

Answer 7

I have two answer!!!

1)Coz they were sharks!!!
Sharks are carnivore!!!
2)Coz human attack sharks!!!
Sharks want revenge human!!!
Sharks know, human want to eat Sharks!!!

Answer 8

it shouldn't be "why do sharks attack humans" , but "why do humans put themselves in the vicinity of a shark"
Sharks are predators , they hunt and kill.

Answer 9

sharks don't have hands so instead they explore with there teeth

Answer 10

because they're hungry and the humans are in the wrong place at the wrong time.