In other words, sharks are not as aggressive and ready to “hunt” humans as we often think. If they encounter humans, they tend to avoid them.
That’s because sharks evolved millions of years before humans came along, and we (humans) are not part of their normal diet.
According to statistics, sharks’ favorite prey includes small fish, seals, sea lions, and marine mammals.
A study published on October 26, 2023 in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface suggests that sharks only attack humans when they “mistake” us for prey, especially great white sharks.
“Great white sharks are often portrayed as mindless killers who enjoy eating humans. However, this perception seems to be inaccurate,” the study said. “Perhaps we just happen to look like food.”
Shark experts and divers regularly swim with potentially dangerous sharks without getting hurt (Photo: Wiki).
For centuries, sharks have played a vital role in ocean ecosystems, helping to ensure prey populations remain healthy and thriving.
Perhaps today, sharks are the ones who have to fear humans more, because some species, typically the great white shark, are facing a very high risk of extinction.
The main reason behind this is due to human hunting and attacks. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the reduction in shark numbers has caused certain harm to the marine ecosystem and marine life.
Because the shark population has been severely devastated, the rate of shark bites has also decreased year by year.