Statistically it is rare for sharks to attack humans, but when they do, the attacks can be severe. Sharks have been known to bite victims in two, but the vast majority of shark attacks have been one bite wonders. Most sharks bites are made out of curiosity. The shark is curious as to whether we are a potential food source, so they will test us out with a smaller bite, before deciding whether to return for a second helping. Even a small shark bites can be fatal. Sharks have rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth designed to tear into their prey. There are around 400 different shark species, but the vast majority of sharks are not typically man eaters and will only attack humans if provoked.
A man was recently attacked by a shark off the coast of Devon while surfing. Luckily due to the quick wits of this UK surfer and the thick protective swimsuit he was wearing, his close encounter was not as severe as it could have been. Please click here to read full article!
Sharks that swim around British Waters!
There are at least 21 species of shark which live in the British waters all year round and you are very unlikely to encounter one on a trip to the beach. However as climates change throughout the year we do also get some seasonal visitors too.
In the warmer months of the year you may even get lucky enough to spot the second largest fish in the world, the Basking Shark! Which rises close to the surface to feed on plankton while it basks in the sun.
Other seasonal visitors also include the Blue Shark and the Shortfin Mako, The Blue shark prefers to inhabit deeper cooler waters and is highly migratory. The Shortfin Mako is the fastest shark ever recorded, capable of travelling up to speeds of 30mph.
Occasionally other sharks do swim into British waters such as the Smooth Hammerhead and the Frilled Shark.
Despite there being good conditions for the Great White Shark, there have been no confirmed sightings to date in British waters. The nearest confirmed report was of a female White Shark, which was captured in 1977 in the northern Bay of Biscay – 168 miles off Land’s End, Cornwall.
