Shark sightings on both the east and west coasts of the United States have been increasing as Americans head to the beaches to escape the summer heat. In Hawaii, officials recently spotted a tiger shark just 30 yards from the island’s break wall along Oahu’s South Shore, leading to warning signs being posted by authorities, as reported by Island News. Despite its 12-foot size, the Honolulu Emergency Services Department labeled the shark as “non-aggressive” after it was seen around noon on June 27. With the rise in shark sightings and potential shark attacks in some states, it’s important to be informed about these fascinating creatures. Here are 12 unique facts about sharks that you may not have known.
There are more than 500 known species of sharks in the world’s oceans, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The total shark population is estimated to be around one billion, which means there is approximately one shark for every seven or eight humans on the planet. Sharks can be found in every ocean and in various habitats, including the open ocean, deep sea, coral reefs, shallows, and even beneath Arctic ice.
One of the largest shark species is the whale shark, with the potential to reach up to 65.6 feet in length. The world’s largest recorded whale shark measured 61.7 feet, as documented by a study from Nova Southeastern University’s Guy Harvey Research Institute and the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program. On the other end of the spectrum, the smallest living shark species is the dwarf lantern shark, averaging just 8 inches in size and rarely observed in the northern part of South America at depths between 928 and 1,440 feet.
Great white sharks possess one of the strongest bites in the animal kingdom, with the ability to exert about 4,095 pounds of force from their jaws. Most shark species have five rows of teeth, with some sharks having up to 3,000 teeth at once and losing up to 100 teeth per day. Despite their fearsome reputation, the chance of being killed by a shark is incredibly low, at just one in 3.7 million.
In 2023, there were a total of 69 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide, with surfers and board sports enthusiasts accounting for 42% of incidents, swimmers and waders for 39%, and snorkelers/free divers for 13%. Over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, the average number of unprovoked shark attacks on humans was 63 per year. Despite these statistics, it’s important to remember that shark attacks are rare occurrences.
Unfortunately, sharks are facing a significant threat from human activities, with an estimated 100 million sharks killed annually, often for their fins. This practice has a detrimental impact on various shark species, including whale sharks. Sharks have been around for an astonishing 450 million years, appearing in the fossil record before the existence of trees and surviving five mass extinctions. The megalodon, the largest shark species in history, is believed to have reached lengths of up to 98 feet, although recent estimates have revised this figure down to 68.6 feet. Megalodons went extinct around 2.6 million years ago during the end of the Pliocene era.
As we enjoy our time at the beach and in the ocean, it’s essential to be aware of the presence of sharks and how to stay safe while in their territory. By understanding these incredible creatures and their role in the marine ecosystem, we can better appreciate and respect the diversity of life in the world’s oceans. Remember to follow shark safety tips and guidelines to minimize the risk of encountering these fascinating predators while enjoying the beauty of the sea.
