Question Mark – Source: Photo by Patrick Burgler from Flickr
Here are some interesting facts which people might have gotten them wrong since the start.
Myth #1: Humans are the prey of all sharks
Sharks do not specifically prey on humans in the sea. In some of the cases involving humans, sharks have often misidentified the humans as being other similar-sized preys such as dolphins or seals. A large number sharks instead feed on other marine animals such as squid, clams or even plankton in the sea.
Myth #2: All sharks are huge with sharp teeth
You might be heavily influenced by the “shark movies” that you have watched over the years thinking that all sharks are huge, scary-looking, heavy and torpedo-shaped like creatures. But in fact, there are more than 400 different species and they vary in shapes and sizes. The sizes of these sharks range from as small as 8 inches short to as big as 40 feet long. Also, not every shark is developed to have a mouth full of sharp teeth. Some shark species have tiny teeth which are not even used for feeding and some have molar-like teeth that are used to crush hard-shelled preys.
Sharks Are Not That Scary – Source: WeKnowMemes
Myth #3: Sharks are unimportant
The marine communities require the help of sharks to maintain the fragile balance of life. Most of the shark species are playing a role at the top of the food chain, aiding to maintain the population of other marine animals. Some sharks also help to keep the population of other marine animals healthy by feeding on the sick and weak.
Myth #4: Sharks are non-damageable animals
Sharks have relatively low reproduction rate and they take a long time to grow and mature. Coupled with a large and increasing demand for shark fins as well as a lack of management on shark finning, the shark population is facing the crisis of not being able to replenish itself to meet the high rate of shark finning. They are often victims of bycatch too.
Myth #5: Sharks usually attack people
The chances of you having stuck by lightning is much higher than the chances of you being attacked by a shark. Shark attacks are unusually rare. Compared to the 73 million sharks that are killed by humans annually, there are only 7 cases of shark attacks in 2012. As the number of people seen on the seas have been rising, the incident rate has not since followed the trend.
Myth #6: Shark fins are “yummy” and nutritious with medicinal purposes
Shark fins are actually of no flavour and nutritional value. The fact that sharks are at the top of the food chain, they are usually contaminated by the accumulated toxin found in their preys, such as mercury, which has detrimental effects on humans’ health.