Sharks rarely attack humans compared to other animal species. However, there are a number of shark species that can be very dangerous if they mistake a human for food. This usually happens when the water is cloudy. Such a coincidental combination of circumstances can be very terrifying. Sharks prefer a certain water temperature. In addition, there are even sharks that can survive in fresh water. Which sharks are the most dangerous? Where do these animals live and how tall can they grow in total?
The most dangerous three shark species
- Sharks confrontations
- The bull shark
- The tiger shark
- The white shark
Sharks confrontations
Despite the bad reputation that sharks have, the shark makes relatively few victims per year. The malaria mosquito, for example, is indirectly responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths per year. However, a shark attack can be very terrifying for the victim. In most shark attacks, the victim is not eaten. This is because humans are not normally on the shark’s menu.
The bull shark
The bull shark has no human flesh on its diet. However, he regularly mistakes people for prey. This usually happens in cloudy water where visibility is poor. Especially when swimmers swim on the surface, it is difficult for the shark to determine whether it is a human person or a prey animal. He is known as an aggressive shark, so an attack by the predator can be life-threatening. After all, the name ‘bull shark’ derives from its aggressive behavior and its special appearance. He has a flat nose. He also has a solid physique. These sharks are on average about two and a half meters long. Some larger variants sometimes reach a length of more than three meters. He also ranks number three in terms of how dangerous the animal is to humans.
Areas where the bull shark occurs
The bull shark occurs in places where the water is warm. Usually this is along the coast or rivers, especially in places where it is shallow. Officially it is not a freshwater shark, but it has the special ability to survive in fresh water. This allows it to occur in places where it is not expected, such as at marinas where the water is less salty.
The tiger shark
The tiger shark is the second most dangerous shark that swims in the oceans. Scientists also call this fish the ‘Galeocerdo Cuvier’. It is a very aggressive predator that can grow up to five meters in length and weigh nearly a ton. They attack people when they feel threatened. The animal can be recognized by its distinctive tiger-like pattern located on the side of its body. However, these stripes are less visible as the animal gets older.
Areas where the tiger shark occurs
The tiger shark lives in areas where there is a warm tropical temperature. Sometimes they occur in places with a subtropical climate. Its habitat is very diverse; it occurs in the Gulf of Mexico, up to the coast of North America, India and Australia. In addition, it can be found along the coast of Africa and even China. They prefer to hunt in the dark. However, it happens that they swim near a coral reef because of the large amount of fish that swim here. Tiger sharks usually hunt for squid, dolphins, turtles and smaller shark species. However, the animals are endangered because of fishing. They are targeted because of their fins and meat.
The white shark
The white shark is the most dangerous shark species in existence and is also called the human shark. This species is responsible for most of the victims. The first white sharks emerged tens of millions of years ago. The males are on average about 3.20 meters long. The female white sharks, on the other hand, can reach a length of more than four meters. Occasionally specimens are caught that are more than six meters long. These giant sharks can even weigh a few tons. Some scientists believe that he attacks humans because he confuses the ghosts with those of prey. Especially when one makes a floundering movement one looks like a prey animal. Another theory is that he tries to “see” with his jaw to see if the food is edible. The animal has the ability to smell blood from a long distance. Because of this, it is not recommended to swim if you have a wound.
Areas where the white shark occurs
The white shark is found on the east coast of Australia. In addition, the species can often be found in Gansbaai. Gansbaai is a place in South Africa where you can dive with the white shark, just like in Australia. A metal cage is used to ensure the safety of the divers. The sharks are present here in large numbers because of the large amount of prey. There are tens of thousands of seals to be found here. In addition, sometimes a dead whale washes up and is eaten by the sharks.