Myths about sharks

There are many myths about sharks, most of which are simply a result of an unreasonable primal fear of this magnificent creatures. Here is a brief summary of some of them.

Myth	Sharks like the taste of humans
	Not so. Sharks try to avoid us. We are not their prey. Sharks evolved over millions of years feeding on other prey. Most shark attacks on surfers occur as a result of mistaken identity with seals – have you seen a silhouette of a seal? They have a long torpedo body, with two flukes protruding from each side – not unlike a surfer on a board. In most cases, a shark will back off after realising its mistake. Sadly, the damage done during the initial hit can – in rare cases – be fatal
Myth	Sharks are stupid
	They are complex creatures. Research into the social behaviour of sharks has shown that they are inquisitive, cautious and intelligent. The behaviour of sharks is complex.
Myth	Sharks are virtually blind
	Sharks see a wide spectrum of different colours and have good eyesight, often many times more sensitive to light than human eyes. The great white uses sight as the primary means to ‘lock on’ for an attack, and can see equally well when its head is protruding out of the water as it can beneath the surface.
Myth	Sharks are feeding machines constantly hunting for food
	According to the National Geographic website, sharks eat only an average of two percent of their body weight each day, which is less than humans typically eat. Most sharks have specific diets. Great whites eat seals, tuna, other sharks, rays and cetaceans (marine mammals such as whales and dolphins), although in the case of the latter, the sharks feed mostly on their carcasses. Some sharks eat plankton, while other sharks will eat only fish. In the False Bay area, great white sharks have been known to exhibit similar patterns to killer whales. When attacking a seal, they have been known to strike their victim from beneath, hitting the hapless mammal into the air. On its way down, the seal is caught in the convulsing jaws of the shark. The great white has the ability to protrude its jaws, giving it more elasticity when devouring prey. During the chase, great whites often leap into the air, as does the mako shark.