You sharks, with their imposing presence and reputation as fierce predators, are often seen as terrifying creatures.
However, the truth behind these animal attacks is much more complex than the image painted by horror films.
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Contrary to popular belief, sharks are not attracted to human flesh, but attack in specific situations, usually as a defense mechanism.
The first thing to understand is that there is nothing “evil” or “cruel” about the nature of sharks. Such fish do not attack for pleasure, as is often portrayed in films and television shows.
Aggressiveness is not an intrinsic characteristic of sharks, and they only advance under certain circumstances, for reasons of survival.
Just like any other animal, sharks react when they feel threatened or perceive intruders in their territory.
This means that not every encounter with this animal results in an attack. The vast majority of sharks are harmless to humans human beings.
Although many sharks do not pose a direct threat to humans, there are a few types responsible for the majority of shark-related attacks and deaths. Here are the most dangerous species:
1. White shark
(Image: Shutterstock/Reproduction)
This is the most famous of all sharks, known for its menacing appearance and impressive size, reaching up to 7 meters in length.
Found on tropical coasts and oceanic waters, it is a particular threat to surfers and divers in areas from the California coast to South America. It is estimated to have caused 403 attacks and 65 deaths to date.
2. Tiger shark
(Image: Albert Kok/Reproduction)
With a size that can reach 4.5 meters in length, the tiger shark is one of the deadliest species in the world compared to humans.
Found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, it records 157 attacks and 27 deaths, being responsible for a significant number of attacks in Hawaii.
3. Flat-head shark
(Image: Shutterstock/Reproduction)
Although smaller at about 2 meters, the bull shark poses a substantial risk to people. It prefers to live in fresh waters and darker regions, which makes it difficult to identify in advance. It records 121 attacks and 25 deaths.
4. gray shark
(Image: Unsplash/Reproduction)
This species, which can reach up to 3 meters, is often found in warm waters and rarely attacks humans if unprovoked. However, it has already caused 77 violent acts and 1 death.
5. Hammer shark
(Image: Pxfuel/Reproduction)
Recognized by the shape of its head that resembles a hammer, this fish can be up to 6 meters long and weigh more than 220 kilos. Despite its size, attacks by this species are rare.
In addition to the animals mentioned above, others, such as the blacktip shark, copper shark and blue shark, are considered potentially dangerous, but generally do not cause deaths.
Understanding their behavior and the species most prone to attacks is essential to minimize risks when swimming or practicing water sports in areas where such predators are present.
After all, respect for Marine life and peaceful coexistence are key to protecting these incredible species and avoiding fatal clashes.
