Just like we check under our beds for monsters, sharks check for dolphins before nodding off. That's right, the toughest kids on the undersea block swim in fear of dolphins. Here, we've compiled a splash of facts to tell you why. Flexibility Gives Dolphins the Upper Fin.
Sharks prefer to avoid dolphins. Dolphins are mammals that live in pods and are very clever. They know how to protect themselves. When they see an aggressive shark, they immediately attack it with the whole pod.
They're apex predators that have existed for millions of years, honing their skills to become the ultimate ocean killers. As it turns out, even sharks have something to fear, and a new research effort reveals the one thing that strikes fear in the heart of a white shark: an orca.
This myth is often associated with a shark safety tip: “If you see dolphins, it's safe to swim there because their presence scares away sharks.” This is simply not correct. In fact, sharks and dolphins are often found near each other for a simple reason—they eat the same food, and both go where the food is.
Alternatively, divers and swimmers can probably reduce the chance of an interaction with a shark by avoiding bright and highly contrasting swimwear or dive gear. We personally prefer to use dark blue or black fins, mask, tank, and wetsuit while diving.
Since sharks see contrast colors, anything that is very bright against lighter or darker skin can look like a bait fish to a shark. For this reason, he suggests swimmers avoid wearing yellow, white, or even bathing suits with contrasting colors, like black and white.
But when it comes to sharks, there's a particular and precise term for describing the persistent, uncontrollable, and abnormally large fear of the ocean predator. It's called galeophobia - a phobia of sharks. More people experience - and even suffer from - galeophobia than those afraid of small fish.
Overfishing. Overfishing is the biggest threat to sharks: more than 100 million shark are killed every year, with a large number of them being caught for their fins.
Indeed, orcas are the top predator in the ocean and small sharks are a target for some populations. Orcas will even attack and kill great white sharks just to eat their livers which are a high energy food source. A great white shark in the Gulf of Maine.
Killer whales hunt in packs and can attack, kill and eat a great white shark. Killer whales work together in packs to take them down! Orca whales are a little bigger than Great whites. They are 20-25 feet long and weigh 6,000 lbs all the way up to 10,000 lbs or more.
Lemon sharks get their name for being overtly jealous when scuba divers do not give them sufficient attention – no, not really, but it would have been a good story. The first dive with the lemon sharks felt somewhat like going on a blind date in a foreign country.
Sharks have never been shown to be attracted to the smell of human blood, however, it may still be advisable to stay out of the water if bleeding from an open wound. Also, see Menstruation and Sharks. Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged because the reflected light may resemble the sheen of fish scales.
Sharks are opportunistic feeders, but most sharks primarily feed on smaller fish and invertebrates. Some of the larger shark species prey on seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals. Sharks have been known to attack humans when they are confused or curious.
They discovered that certain copper compounds, like copper acetate, when combined with other ingredients, could mimic the odor of a dead shark and drive live sharks away from human beings in the water.
So while it's unlikely that sharks can read our minds and know when we're in trouble, they can sense distress in other aquatic animals and respond accordingly. While we may never know for certain if sharks can sense our fear of them, they certainly have that effect on us.
FICTION: Sharks are attracted to human blood, so if you cut yourself at the beach, you will be attracting sharks. FACT: Sharks know the difference between fish and human blood and, while they can smell our blood, it is not a scent they associate with food.
In general, sharks prefer to eat fish, squid and crustaceans.
Color: Some scientific experiments indicate that sharks can distinguish light colors from dark, and that they may even be able to distinguish colors. Yellow, white, and silver seem to attract sharks. Many divers think that clothing, fins, and tanks should be painted in dull colors to avoid shark attacks.
Sharks help keep the carbon cycle in motion.
When they die naturally, they sink to the seafloor, where they are eaten by scavengers. However, when they are hunted by humans, they are removed from the ocean, disrupting the ocean's carbon cycle.
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world — it can grow up to 60 feet long and weigh up to 41,000 pounds! Although this creature is ginormous, it is a harmless shark that poses no threat to humans. Whale sharks are filter feeders and only eat plankton and small fish — not humans.