Love it or hate it, Shark Week is upon us. Just in time to freak you out for your July Fourth vacation. The chill week when, at any time of the day, if you change your TV to the Discovery Channel you are guaranteed to see a shark. While these beasts, especially the Great Whites, could easily kill anything in their sights, most of the time they leave humans alone. Because of this, some do not understand the nation-wide fascination with Shark Week. Any episode you see throughout the week will tell you that these powerful fish do not hunt people and are rather misunderstood. Here are some common misconceptions about sharks.
All sharks are like the Great White.
There are at least 465 species of sharks, and they are not all based on the Great White. Some are much smaller and, on average, don't even grow to be a foot long. The Great White, while massive, is not the largest shark in the sea. The Whale Shark has been documented to grow as large as 40 feet long, but poses no threat to humans at all. They only filter-feed plankton. I once kissed a three foot shark in Belize, and if all sharks were like the Great White, I wouldn't have a face.
Sharks will attack any person they see.
Most shark attacks, as terrifying as they may be, prove to be non-fatal. Sharks prefer to feed on seal and other marine life, rather than human beings. Most attacks on humans occur because the shark confuses them with prey. One bite, and the shark often realizes this is not something it wants to eat and releases. In the United States alone, only 9 percent of all unprovoked, documented attacks have been fatal, proving they’re definitely not out to get us. Also, chances are, wherever you're swimming, there are sharks near by. Probably not a huge Great White, but definitely some babies living in the shallows.
Sharks like Jaws actually exist.
The existence of rogue sharks, like the one portrayed in "Jaws," was an early theory that has since been disproved as scientists' knowledge of sharks has expanded. If there is a string of attacks in a certain area, it can be explained by outside factors. Whether it's increased chum or blood in the water, it can be explained outside of the Rogue Shark Theory. So don't worry, a 25 foot Great White probably won't terrorize your favorite beach.
If you're anything like me, you look forward to Shark Week all summer. Sharks are cool and there's no denying that. If you need me I'll be cruising through the week like...
