Sharks - not for the faint of heart

[HansV]

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Video: Sharks feeding near the beach

[BobH]

As a native Tar Heel (from North Carolina), I spent many hours on the Outer Banks. I often visited the National Seashore and have actually witnessed an event very similar to that depicted. It is an amazing sight to see.

[Rudi]

Any double dares to go swimming on that beach?

[BobH]

There are always sharks in the water near the surf's edge. Usually they are small sand and nurse sharks. I've had them scrape against my legs. I wouldn't swim in a feeding frenzy like that in the video, but if you swim along the Outer Banks, you will never be far from a shark. Fortunately, the water is seldom clear enough for them to be seen.

[viking33]

Those sharks look like the more harmless types like Sand Sharks or small Blues. Despite the frenzied picture, if you did get bitten, it would be a mistaken bite and probably a small one. Still wouldn't want to risk a swim there at that time.
It's the Great Whites and Tigers that are the ones to look out for. We are having a population increase of Great Whites here on the Cape, because of the large increase of Seals, a favorite meal for the Whites. Only one instance of a human getting attacked about two years ago.More and more sharks getting tagged with GPS tags to get real time tracking info.
Hot spots beside Cape Cod are South Africa ( hi Rudi ) Southern California, the Indian Ocean and Southeast Florida.

[viking33]

To track some of our Great Whites go to:
http://www.ocearch.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Try Katherine ( named after Katherine Lee Bates ) and see how she is really getting up close and personal, even in Cape Cod Bay!

[Rudi]

LOL...
"Our" shark is called Kathryn (coincidence???)

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[BobH]

Don't forget hammerheads! They are quite plentiful in the mid Atlantic area and unpredictable.

I agree with Viking Bob, though, that most sharks should not cause panic. Great whites, tigers, hammerheads should be avoided or given a very wide berth. Sand and nurse sharks are virtually harmless and never life-threatening encounters. Although I've not done any real skin diving since the 60s, I learned then that some you avoid and some you accept.

[viking33]

Don't forget hammerheads! They are quite plentiful in the mid Atlantic area and unpredictable.

I agree with Viking Bob, though, that most sharks should not cause panic. Great whites, tigers, hammerheads should be avoided or given a very wide berth. Sand and nurse sharks are virtually harmless and never life-threatening encounters. Although I've not done any real skin diving since the 60s, I learned then that some you avoid and some you accept.

Strange you should mention Hammerheads. For many years they were considered harmless oddities, now they are in the "man-eater" class. I wonder if there is data to back up that claim?
I'll have to check with our shark experts at the Museum. Dr. Greg Skomal is the resident Pro and is considered a top at this. He is responsible for the current tagging program for White Sharks in the North Atlantic.

[BobH]

Thanks, Bob! Be interesting to hear his take on the hh's.

[ChrisGreaves]

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Video: Sharks feeding near the beach

Close to the end (1m 20s) the shark almost completely out of the water ...
I figure that one blow from the tail would snap BOTH my ankles.
I know that's not how they kill, but all the same, broken ankles means you are instant prey in the shallows.

I believe too that sharks must swim continually to gain oxygen, so their tail muscles are their life ...

[viking33]

Thanks, Bob! Be interesting to hear his take on the hh's.

Only a "quicky" take but generally the hammerhead is way down on the list of dangerous, aggressive sharks. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't respect and avoid these specie. The top three on the list of fatal, non-aggressive sharks are the White, Tiger and Bull Sharks. While the hammerhead accounts for only 17 of these attacks, the top three have between 100-200 each.
The rule is that every species can be dangerous if due care is not taken and even the lowly Sand or Nurse can give you a nasty bite.

[Rudi]

The rule is that every species can be dangerous if due care is not taken and even the lowly Sand or Nurse can give you a nasty bite.

The rule is to rather swim in a pool.

[HansV]

The rule is to rather swim in a pool.

Are you sure?

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[Rudi]

Spoiler

That shark is a mural but the croc proved the point!
Must be in Florida, near the everglades (or Aussiland somewhere)

[BobH]

Thanks, Bob! Be interesting to hear his take on the hh's.

Only a "quicky" take but generally the hammerhead is way down on the list of dangerous, aggressive sharks. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't respect and avoid these specie. The top three on the list of fatal, non-aggressive sharks are the White, Tiger and Bull Sharks. While the hammerhead accounts for only 17 of these attacks, the top three have between 100-200 each.
The rule is that every species can be dangerous if due care is not taken and even the lowly Sand or Nurse can give you a nasty bite.

Thanks for the update. I knew that the HH was nowhere near as dangerous as whites, tigers and bulls; but I remember reading reports of attacks. I wouldn't worry too much about the smaller ones but I've seen them offshore that were 10'-12' long. Anything that big in the water I would avoid if possible.

[PJ_in_FL]

Can anyone make out what the sign reflected into the water above the croc says? Maybe "Children's pool"?

[viking33]

Can anyone make out what the sign reflected into the water above the croc says? Maybe "Children's pool"?

I think it said, "Swim at your own risk"?

[HansV]

This is the sign from the original image (which I cropped):

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[Rudi]

Personally, I don't think the sign is needed until the croc is removed. But that is just my opinion