Myths of Shark Attacks

If all you know about sharks comes from "Jaws," then most of what you know about sharks is based on myth. For example, it's a myth that shark attacks are commonplace. In fact, according to Ralph Collier, president of the Shark Research Committee in Canoga Park, California, there were just 108 "authenticated" unprovoked shark attacks along the Pacific Coast of the U.S. in the entire 20th century. Just eight of those attacks were fatal.

  1. Eyesight

    • The myth says poor eyesight is the reason a great white shark mistakes people for seals and sea lions. This isn't true. The sharks have keen eyesight. Sharks are curious animals and investigate by way of their teeth. According to a 2004 "National Geographic" article, when sharks notice movement above them, they approach it in an unhurried behavior and bite at the unfamiliar form. It doesn't matter if the form is debris or a human.

    Maneaters

    • It's a Hollywood myth that sharks actively seek out human prey. Sharks have a slow digestive system and swallowing human bone can block the shark's digestive process for days. Seals, sea lions and fish are the preferred diet for sharks. The high fat helps the shark maintain its body temperature.

    No Diversity

    • Contrary to myth, sharks do not look or act the same. The whale shark is 45 feet long and may be the gentlest creature in the ocean. Other sharks are just 6 inches long. Some sharks grind their food with flat teeth. The whale shark uses its gills to eat by sifting food out of the water. The majority of sharks are various shades of gray, black or both, but some are brightly colored with patterns on their bodies.

    Overpopulation

    • Shark frenzies do happen, but it's not because there are too many sharks. As of 2011, the small tooth sawfish, basking shark, and two species of hammerhead sharks were on the IUCN endangered list due to overfishing. Many other sharks are threatened by excessive fishing, loss of habitat and pollution.

    Playing Dead

    • Another story says playing dead in the water can increase your chances of getting a shark to ignore you. This one is true according to the Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters." It dropped two test subjects, both in shark-proof gear, in a shark-filled area. One flailed around while the other remained still. The sharks ignored the still person but kept sniffing around the subject that kept moving.