Page 50 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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kilometres per hour (25 miles per hour), the velocity
launches both shark and seal clear of the water in what’s
known as a Polaris Attack. With jaws opening wide, the
predator tries to catch its prey but this meal brings a
whole new meaning to the term fast food. Seals have
agility on their side and will attempt a zig-zag manoeuvre
in a bid for freedom, but death comes quick this time.
Rows and rows of serrated teeth bear down on the

blubbery flesh, as it’s shaken violently from side to side
and, within minutes, the seal’s inanimate body is sliding
down the shark’s throat, whole.
In that first bite, the great white shark’s sensitive taste

buds can assess the energy content of its prey to see if it’s
palatable. Fat and blubber are energy-rich food that sharks
need to feast on, which has been proven in an experiment
where sharks were tempted with carcasses of seals, pigs
and sheep. The great white attacked all three but rejected
the sheep, indicating fat is required to meet the high
energy demands of a great white. Too low, and it won’t be
worth the effort (and energy) of attacking. “ Despite what Hollywood would have us
When chasing prey, their streamlined bodies and
powerful tails propel them through the water with ease, believe, we’re far too bony and lacking
while their fins enable them to have effective control over

their movement. The crescent-shaped caudal fins at the the essential nutrition a shark needs for
end of a shark’s body is the main propulsive structure,
while the pectoral fins (on its sides) are for turning and a hearty meal”

braking and the infamous dorsal fin, which can be seen
poking out the water, is crucial for keeping it upright. Its clever, but also equally adept swimmers. In addition to Why they
warmer body temperature (see page 30) sharpens its seals, it also eats dolphins and whales, but smaller juveniles
sight and boosts brain activity. It gives this daytime hunter will feast on tuna, seabirds and even sea turtles. don’t eat
an advantage while up against prey that are not only Notice how humans aren’t on the menu? Despite what humans
Hollywood would have us believe, we’re far too bony and
Though we fear them,
lacking the essential nutrition a shark needs for a hearty
we’re not nutritional
meal and, after a sample bite, it usually spits out its victim.
enough for a shark
But unfortunately for sharks, and the occasional swimmer,
a wetsuit-clad human on the surface of the water closely Attacks on humans are
resembles its normal prey. Add a surfboard to the extremely rare; in fact,
equation and the silhouette is uncannily like a shark’s you’re more likely to get
favourite dish, particularly when they are in the vicinity of hurt on your way to the
their normal prey. However, once the shark has realised beach than you are to get
its error, it’s usually too late and the victim will have been bitten by a great white
claimed by blood loss or drowning. This man-eating image shark. What’s more, it’s
has largely been blamed on the 1975 movie Jaws, which even rarer for the attack
portrayed them as indiscriminate killers. While a shark to be fatal. In 2014, of the
attack is a potential danger in marine waters, it’s worth 72 reported shark attacks
putting this risk into perspective. As the Florida Museum worldwide only three were
lethal. Our muscle content
LEFT Seabirds
are occasionally means we don’t make a
on the menu of substantial meal for a great
younger sharks, white, which needs plenty
though would be
too scrawny for of energy that blubbery
larger adults mammals like seals off er.
“Thank you for not eating me!”

During a surfing event, Mick Fanning had a very close call when a
great white shark misstook him for a tasty treat
It was a gorgeous day at the J-Bay Open in South Africa, the waves were
rolling in perfectly, and professional surfer Mick Fanning was at the top of his
game. What could possibly ruin this picture? The daunting image of a shark fin

emerging out of the water behind Fanning.
In one of the most harrowing 30 seconds in live television, viewers watched
as Fanning struggled with the shark and disappeared behind a wave.
Lifeguards feared the worst and hurried to his presumed location with jetskis.
The audience, including Fanning’s family and friends, were relieved when the
next shot showed Fanning safe on a jetski. But what happened underwater?
Well, apparently one of the most impressive showdowns between man and
shark. Fanning described being dragged down by the great white and – in true

“fight or flight“ fashion – punched the shark in the nose. The few punches he

managed to throw were eff ective, as it confused the shark enough for Fanning
make his quick getaway and get onboard the jetski. When asked what he’d do
if faced with the shark again, he said he’d say: “Thank you for not eating me!”
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