If someone were in open water just floating around, wouldn't a shark eat them? I mean, yeah, I've heard the whole seal argument, but why wouldn't they just eat them? Doesn't this happen all the time?
2007-05-23 19:27:37 · 9 answers · asked by sandstone901 4 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
We aren't as meaty and fatty as a seal - they prefer seals, we don't taste as good. Generally they just take a few bites and we die from blood loss.
2007-05-23 23:37:59 · answer #1 · answered by slipstreamer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"If someone were in open water just floating around, wouldn't a shark eat them?" No. There are so many misconceptions surrounding sharks and shark behavior and shark attacks it's not even funny.
To start with, you should consult the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) and gain some knowledge about sharks and their biology and behaviors.
For instance: "There are three major kinds of unprovoked shark attacks. By far the most common are "hit and run" attacks. These typically occur in the surf zone with swimmers and surfers the normal targets. The victim seldom sees its attacker and the shark does not return after inflicting a single bite or slash wound. In most instances, these probably are cases of mistaken identity that occur under conditions of poor water visibility and a harsh physical environment (breaking surf and strong wash/current conditions). A feeding shark in this habitat must make quick decisions and rapid movements to capture its traditional food items. When these difficult physical conditions are considered in conjunction with provocative human appearance and activities associated with aquatic recreation (splashing, shiny jewelry, contrasting colored swimsuits, contrasting tanning, especially involving the soles of the feet), it is not surprising that sharks might occasionally misinterpret a human for its normal prey. We suspect that, upon biting, the shark quickly realizes that the human is a foreign object, or that it is too large, and immediately releases the victim and does not return. Some of these attacks could also be related to social behaviors unrelated to feeding, such as dominance behaviors seen in many land animals. Injuries to "hit and run" victims are usually confined to relatively small lacerations, often on the leg below the knee, and are seldom life-threatening."
That about sums up the answers to all of your questions...
1. If someone were in open water just floating around, wouldn't a shark eat them?
NO
2. I mean, yeah, I've heard the whole seal argument, but why wouldn't they just eat them?
Sharks don't have a taste for human flesh and since they use their mouths as a sensory organ to identify prey they usually "bump and run" once they figure out they've got a human and not something more desireable.
3. Doesn't this happen all the time?
ISAF statistics state that worldwide there are probably 70-100 shark attacks annually resulting in about 5-15 deaths. That's not exactly "all the time" now is it? The fatality rate of shark attacks is extremely low, especially compared to other incidents resulting in fatalities.
FATALITY RATES
SHARK ATTACKS (2000-04): 7
HUNTING INCIDENTS (2000-04):354
BICYCLE ACCIDENTS (2000-2004): 3446
BEACH FATALITIES (not shark attacks) (2000): 132
As for the comment about swimming in the ocean while on your period, there is no indictaor of increased attacks on menstruating women. However, all bodily fluids, including urine, are attractive to sharks so remember that when you pee in the ocean - or when the person next to you does. Or the little kid aways down the beach.
The misrepresentation of the aggressive nature and danger of the shark is sad and frustrating. However, it keeps people off my beach so I guess it's not so bad.
For more info, check out the link below for the ISAF!
2007-05-24 02:22:43 · answer #2 · answered by Kristy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Sharks don't like the taste of humans. A shark will investigate by taking a bite. In most cases you'll see that a shark attack involved a single bite, then they'll move on. Many cases being surfers because the board and arms of the surfer resembles a large seal.
2007-05-23 19:38:02 · answer #3 · answered by GARY M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
More lightning strikes people per year than sharks attack people. It's very unlikely that a shark will attack a person unprovoked, sharks have just had really bad publicity especially with films like Jaws and all that. It very rarely happens.
2007-05-24 08:24:07 · answer #4 · answered by Triathlete88 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO they don't eat people. sharks don't like how humans taste. they will only bite once by mistake and go away. but they don't actually EAT people.
2007-05-24 09:46:52 · answer #5 · answered by cat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ste right up free meat! Every shark gets something one had, one stomach 2 hands, 2legs! Ha ha
2007-05-23 19:36:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hey you're made of meat, sharks like meat. I don't see why they would pass up the opportunity for free food.
2007-05-23 19:30:54 · answer #7 · answered by alwaysmoose 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
yes they do, don,t go in with your period they are really attracted to blood!
2007-05-23 19:38:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
yeah, geez have you not seen news reports or read the paper
2007-05-23 19:36:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋