Creature Feature: SHARKS! Jaws or Dermal Denticles?
Posted By Abigail Smigel on 21 July 2004
Instead of the Discovery Channel’s upcoming Shark Week, I decided to take this opportunity to write about one of the most publicized critters in the ocean, Sharks! Not only do I want to illustrate exactly what makes these creatures so fascinating, but also why I shouldn’t have to clear certain bodies of water of any and all sharks so that my friends will come swim in the ocean with me.
Sharks are an interesting enigma. They are essentially what keeps most people out of the ocean and others like me in it. Perhaps it is the mysteriousness that surrounds them or the connotations of their name, but I think both camps may benefit from a window into the world of Sharks.
The typical answer to the question, "Why are you afraid of sharks?" is, "I watched the movie JAWS." I’m not knocking this answer, but I’d be hesitant to blame Peter Benchley for evoking such extreme feelings out of anyone. When you think about it, Sharks were pretty scary before moving pictures were even invented. Have you ever seen the size of the Megalodon Shark jaws at the Smithsonian? Yeah, I don’t need Steven Spielberg to tell me that an animal with teeth that size roaming around the ocean is scary. In fact, Sharks have all the elements of a horror flick in their favor. Lidless eyes (weird), sandpaper skin, razor sharp teeth, the deep ocean is their home . . . yup, horror flick written all over that description. So why shouldn’t we fear Sharks? I’ll tell you.
There are over 460 species of sharks in the ocean and only 36 of them have been known to bite humans. Ok, 12 percent is not a great statistic, but how about this one: A person has a better chance of being struck by lightning not once, but twice, before being bitten by a shark. Ok, you may have heard that one before, so here’s one to bring it home: 150 people a year are killed by falling coconuts, which is 15 times more than the number of people that are fatally attacked by Sharks. So, essentially what that last one is saying is that if you’re going on a tropical vacation, you are safer snorkeling along the beach than walking on it. Food for thought.
Several months ago I came across a story about a snorkeler down in Australia who was bitten on the leg by a stubborn Wobbegong Shark. Stubborn because the repugnant little critter wouldn’t let go. In fact, the guy got into his car and drove to the nearest lifeguard station, with the animal still attached, for some help with his situation. Luckily the lifeguard was wearing his smarty pants and had enough sense to pick up a freshwater hose and spray the sucker off. I’m only telling this story because yes, not everyone dies after a Shark attack.
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