With the blog's second birthday party just over, this was the best way to celebrate. Thank you to everyone for a terrific two years of shark facts. There will certainly be many more to come.
Wednesday 29 October 2014
5,000 Views!!
Thank you to everyone who has helped to bring SHARK NEWS an astounding 5,000 all time views!
With the blog's second birthday party just over, this was the best way to celebrate. Thank you to everyone for a terrific two years of shark facts. There will certainly be many more to come.
With the blog's second birthday party just over, this was the best way to celebrate. Thank you to everyone for a terrific two years of shark facts. There will certainly be many more to come.
Sunday 26 October 2014
The Carribean Reef Shark
The Carribean reef shark is found, unsurprisingly, throughout the Carribean and also along the Western coastlines of Mexico and Brazil, where the can find a plentiful supply of rays and fish to feed on. A Carribean reef shark can grow up to three metres long and are stocky, powerful fish, alike to many other reef sharks.
These sharks are territorial, although not so much as their fellow reef dwellers, the silvertip sharks. However, they will constantly patrol an area of a reef, defying another shark or large sea creature to come too close to it.
Although they are generally indifferent to the divers and snorkelers who visit their reef homes, these sharks have a tendency to be easily aggravated. There are a series of telltale signs that a carribean reef shark is feeling threatened by a diver.
Firstly, it will begin to arch its back. It will repeatedly do this for several seconds before the diver either goes away or stays, making it progress to the second stage of aggressive behaviour.
If the diver does not retreat to a further distance, the shark will begin to thrash its tail excessively. As to when you judge excessive thrashing, it will invariably occur after the arching of the back.
Next, the shark will open its mouth to show its teeth. Evidently, this is a sign that tells any diver to leave the area. This action is typical of most large sharks when they feel threatened or anxious.
At this point, it is imperative that, as a diver, you have moved away, as the next step is for the shark to swim rapidly in the aggressor's direction. Some will pull away at the last minute and repeat this, although others may make contact with the diver - usually their tail will make the contact - and there have been several instances of such contact resulting in concussion.
The majority of Carribean reef shark encounters occur in coastal waters, due to the fact that only very few venture into the open ocean. As relatively small sharks, such an action could be suicidal should they encounter a great white, tiger or bull shark - all of which can be found in such areas.
As is typical with reef dwelling sharks, Carribean reef sharks hunt at night, sometimes in small groups. They feed mainly on rays, of which there are many species that live on reefs, and large fish. Groupers are notably one of the favourite foods of this species, although the saying "the hunters are the hunted" is applicable in such a case, as many groupers grow to such awe-inspiring size that they are able to swallow a shark whole.
These sharks are territorial, although not so much as their fellow reef dwellers, the silvertip sharks. However, they will constantly patrol an area of a reef, defying another shark or large sea creature to come too close to it.
Although they are generally indifferent to the divers and snorkelers who visit their reef homes, these sharks have a tendency to be easily aggravated. There are a series of telltale signs that a carribean reef shark is feeling threatened by a diver.
Firstly, it will begin to arch its back. It will repeatedly do this for several seconds before the diver either goes away or stays, making it progress to the second stage of aggressive behaviour.
If the diver does not retreat to a further distance, the shark will begin to thrash its tail excessively. As to when you judge excessive thrashing, it will invariably occur after the arching of the back.
Next, the shark will open its mouth to show its teeth. Evidently, this is a sign that tells any diver to leave the area. This action is typical of most large sharks when they feel threatened or anxious.
At this point, it is imperative that, as a diver, you have moved away, as the next step is for the shark to swim rapidly in the aggressor's direction. Some will pull away at the last minute and repeat this, although others may make contact with the diver - usually their tail will make the contact - and there have been several instances of such contact resulting in concussion.
The majority of Carribean reef shark encounters occur in coastal waters, due to the fact that only very few venture into the open ocean. As relatively small sharks, such an action could be suicidal should they encounter a great white, tiger or bull shark - all of which can be found in such areas.
As is typical with reef dwelling sharks, Carribean reef sharks hunt at night, sometimes in small groups. They feed mainly on rays, of which there are many species that live on reefs, and large fish. Groupers are notably one of the favourite foods of this species, although the saying "the hunters are the hunted" is applicable in such a case, as many groupers grow to such awe-inspiring size that they are able to swallow a shark whole.
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| A carribean reef shark patrolling its territory on a reef. |
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| The range of the Carribean reef shark. |
How Can We Save Sharks?
When people talk of the sea, they will speculate over what creature is most dangerous within it. Killer whales? Chevron barracuda? Belcher sea snakes? Even tuna and dolphins are dangerous in their own right.
Time and time again, the answer ends at "shark", or more specifically, "the great white shark". This overwhelmingly common misconception has driven people to fear of such fascinating creatures. How is it possible for those who are dedicated to sharks to alter the majorities' perception of these glorious animals as the scourge of the sea?
But this is far from the most absurd aspect of the perception. What is is the following: people know that sharks are not the cold blooded killers they have many times been portrayed as. People know that they are more likely to be struck by lightning than be attacked by a shark. And yet, many still refuse to alter their misguided perceptions. The abhorrent description of sharks in the aforementioned manner has struck them to the bone with sheer terror.
The far spread knowledge of sharks is often rejected by those who do not want to listen; by those too scared and too foolish to change before it is too late, and the sharks have left our oceans, have been eradicated from our seas.
Why is it that people can not change?
This mountain is one the human race must overcome together; this mountain is one the human race have to climb. The time for evading the situation, the time for walking around the mountain instead of scaling it, is over. Together, we must face up to the problem and defeat it before the worst comes.
It is not unimaginable that some of those who read this will be confused as to how people can "evade" the situation. The following quotation is from Aaron MacNeil of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, interviewed by the BBC on the subject of Hákarl, an Arctic delicacy made of Greenland shark.
All said, it is true that many people and governments are slowly making amends to humanities errors: Barrack Obama, President of the United States of America recently ordered the protection of 490,000 square miles of ocean between Hawaii and American Samoa. This protects the vast area from fishing and extraction of sea minerals. Due to its location, this marine reserve, originally pioneered by President George Bush in 2009, will protect hundred of thousands, if not millions of sharks, spanning multitudes of species.
This admirable memorandum is a step along the path to save sharks. A small step, it is true, on a long path which will force its walkers to climb a great many mountains, but then, the late Neil Armstrong's motivational words as he became the first human ever to step on the moon:
If every person in the world could make an effort, no matter how small, human kind could soon fix what it has broken over centuries of abusing the oceans and, moreover, the sharks within them.
Time and time again, the answer ends at "shark", or more specifically, "the great white shark". This overwhelmingly common misconception has driven people to fear of such fascinating creatures. How is it possible for those who are dedicated to sharks to alter the majorities' perception of these glorious animals as the scourge of the sea?
But this is far from the most absurd aspect of the perception. What is is the following: people know that sharks are not the cold blooded killers they have many times been portrayed as. People know that they are more likely to be struck by lightning than be attacked by a shark. And yet, many still refuse to alter their misguided perceptions. The abhorrent description of sharks in the aforementioned manner has struck them to the bone with sheer terror.
The far spread knowledge of sharks is often rejected by those who do not want to listen; by those too scared and too foolish to change before it is too late, and the sharks have left our oceans, have been eradicated from our seas.
Why is it that people can not change?
This mountain is one the human race must overcome together; this mountain is one the human race have to climb. The time for evading the situation, the time for walking around the mountain instead of scaling it, is over. Together, we must face up to the problem and defeat it before the worst comes.
It is not unimaginable that some of those who read this will be confused as to how people can "evade" the situation. The following quotation is from Aaron MacNeil of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, interviewed by the BBC on the subject of Hákarl, an Arctic delicacy made of Greenland shark.
"It probably won't catch on enough to threaten the species."In the case of Hákarl, this is likely to be true, as this food is considered by many as the most disgusting nourishment on the planet. However, such statements are made, and have been made, many a time by those who underestimate the danger sharks face this very day. This is the meaning of "evasion". The failure to accept that the human race was wrong and still is. Not only that, but it is the failure to make action towards helping this necessary cause, and the failure to want to as well.
All said, it is true that many people and governments are slowly making amends to humanities errors: Barrack Obama, President of the United States of America recently ordered the protection of 490,000 square miles of ocean between Hawaii and American Samoa. This protects the vast area from fishing and extraction of sea minerals. Due to its location, this marine reserve, originally pioneered by President George Bush in 2009, will protect hundred of thousands, if not millions of sharks, spanning multitudes of species.
This admirable memorandum is a step along the path to save sharks. A small step, it is true, on a long path which will force its walkers to climb a great many mountains, but then, the late Neil Armstrong's motivational words as he became the first human ever to step on the moon:
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."It was but a small step. But it triggered dozens more successful moon landings and has inspired people to this day. The one small step made by Barrack Obama could also trigger inspiration of such a fashion, and if it does, a bright, glistening future for sharks could be well within humanity's reach.
If every person in the world could make an effort, no matter how small, human kind could soon fix what it has broken over centuries of abusing the oceans and, moreover, the sharks within them.
Tuesday 23 September 2014
SHARKFEST 2014
Happy birthday SHARK NEWS!! The SHARKFEST 2014 celebrations are underway and every day there will be new posts on the SHARKFEST Celebrations page. Scroll to the bottom of the page to join in with the celebrations!!
Monday 8 September 2014
The Bronze Whaler Shark
The bronze whaler shark is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and also around Japan, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Often going by the name of copper sharks or narrowtooth sharks, bronze whalers can grow up to three metres long. There have been many attempts to enclose bronze whalers in aquariums for public viewing. However, specimens of the genus do not adapt well to captivity and have been known to swim repetitively into the glass walls of their tank, damaging both the glass and themselves. It is also common for them to develop fatal infections from other creatures enclosed alongside them.
Unlike many sharks, bronze whalers commonly form schools of up to and even above a hundred specimens. It is suspected that the reason for their doing so is that they are often preyed upon by larger sharks such as great white, tiger and bull sharks.
Bronze whalers generally feed on fish such as tuna and also prey upon octopi and squid, as the majority of requiem sharks do. In addition, they have been known to consume stingrays and dogfish. Bronze whalers are often observed participating in the Sardine Run around South Africa.
It is unknown how threatened bronze whaler sharks are by fishing, although they are a popular target of illegal finners. Several conservation projects are now underway in order to protect bronze whalers and other threatened species, despite the fact that bronze whaler numbers are uncertain.
Attacks on humans by bronze whaler sharks are surprisingly more common than other sharks, although still infrequent. It is, perhaps, to be expected as divers commonly observe these sharks in coastal waters worldwide. In addition, those who dare to observe the Sardine Run from close quarters are often bitten accidentally if a feeding frenzy starts. However, some believe that bronze whalers are also the perpetrators of numerous unprovoked attacks and it is possible that they could soon be amongst the top ten most dangerous sharks to humans, based on recent averages. One explanation for this could be that people have mistaken them for other sharks, as they look very alike several other large species. It is also thought that there may have been several unconfirmed attacks following shipwrecks and aeroplane crashes in the ocean where survivors have been forced to remain in the water for indefinite periods.
Unlike many sharks, bronze whalers commonly form schools of up to and even above a hundred specimens. It is suspected that the reason for their doing so is that they are often preyed upon by larger sharks such as great white, tiger and bull sharks.
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| The range of the bronze whaler shark. In dark blue is the confirmed range, in light blue, the suspected range. |
It is unknown how threatened bronze whaler sharks are by fishing, although they are a popular target of illegal finners. Several conservation projects are now underway in order to protect bronze whalers and other threatened species, despite the fact that bronze whaler numbers are uncertain.
Attacks on humans by bronze whaler sharks are surprisingly more common than other sharks, although still infrequent. It is, perhaps, to be expected as divers commonly observe these sharks in coastal waters worldwide. In addition, those who dare to observe the Sardine Run from close quarters are often bitten accidentally if a feeding frenzy starts. However, some believe that bronze whalers are also the perpetrators of numerous unprovoked attacks and it is possible that they could soon be amongst the top ten most dangerous sharks to humans, based on recent averages. One explanation for this could be that people have mistaken them for other sharks, as they look very alike several other large species. It is also thought that there may have been several unconfirmed attacks following shipwrecks and aeroplane crashes in the ocean where survivors have been forced to remain in the water for indefinite periods.
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| A bronze whaler shark swimming nearby a school of mackerel. |
Saturday 17 May 2014
The Cookiecutter Shark
The cookiecutter shark is a small shark which inhabits deep waters. It can grow up to fifty centimetres in length and spends the day at depths of up to 3,570 metres below the surface. They rise to the surface at night, where they hunt their prey. It is rather hard to imagine what prey a minuscule shark such as this could hope to catch at the surface of the open ocean. Most Sunlight zone creatures are larger animals than those of the Twilight and Trench zones. The few small fish species there are do not often stray into the open ocean. However, the cookiecutter shark has developed a hunting technique so sophisticated, it is hard to believe it is true.
The cookiecutter shark has an unusually rounded jaw for a shark. The reason for this is its hunting technique. Using its bioluminescent body, the cookiecutter shark attracts other sea creatures to it. These creatures are, more often than not, dolphins, sailfish and whales. As the animal passes by, the diminutive shark uses its jaw to latch on. it then swims in a circle until it tears away a cookie-sized piece of its victims tissue. Hence the name, cookiecutter.
Due to the fact they only come into humanly accessible waters at night, cookiecutters are rarely encountered by people. However, using cameras, they have been monitored by biologists, which is how we first learnt of their feeding method. Cookiecutter attacks on people are extremely uncommon, both for the reason above and the fact that humans have less blubber than dolphins and other creatures they prey on.
The cookiecutter shark has an unusually rounded jaw for a shark. The reason for this is its hunting technique. Using its bioluminescent body, the cookiecutter shark attracts other sea creatures to it. These creatures are, more often than not, dolphins, sailfish and whales. As the animal passes by, the diminutive shark uses its jaw to latch on. it then swims in a circle until it tears away a cookie-sized piece of its victims tissue. Hence the name, cookiecutter.
Due to the fact they only come into humanly accessible waters at night, cookiecutters are rarely encountered by people. However, using cameras, they have been monitored by biologists, which is how we first learnt of their feeding method. Cookiecutter attacks on people are extremely uncommon, both for the reason above and the fact that humans have less blubber than dolphins and other creatures they prey on.
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| A cookiecutter shark examining a diver's camera. |
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| The range of the cookiecutter shark. |
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| The unusually rounded jaw of a cookiecutter shark. |
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| A cookiecutter shark bite on a yellowfin tuna. |
Wednesday 16 April 2014
Leopard Shark Lunch, Blue Shark Buffet
Recently, a Cape fur seal was caught on camera as it enjoyed a lunch of leopard shark. Although not aggressive, leopard sharks are still strong and will defend themselves against attackers with ferocity. Yet this cape fur seal managed to make a meal of the reef inhabiting shark.
This is not the first instance of a cape fur seal making a meal of a shark. In fact, on the 29th of January 2013, one such seal tucked into a blue shark buffet, gulping down five of the worlds second fastest shark in front of several shocked divers.
Each of the sharks was roughly 1.5 metres long.
Leopard Shark Lunch Link
Blue Shark Buffet Pictures
If you thought that sharks were, in the oceans and seas at least, top of the food chain, think again.
Tuesday 15 April 2014
The Bluntnose Sixgill Shark
One of the few remaining prehistoric sharks, the bluntnose sixgill shark is distinguishable from modern sharks by that which gives it it's name: the fact it has six gill slits. Another differentiating feature of the sixgill is the fact that it has no dorsal fin. The only fin on its back is its second dorsal fin, which is far smaller than the dorsal fin on other sharks and lies directly above the anal fin. These sharks spend the majority of their time roughly 2000 metres beneath the surface and are commonly found in near-coastal waters around Britain, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, Malaysia, Western North America, parts of China, Japan and Australia as well as throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
This shark grows up to 5 metres long, although it is generally only female specimens that reach such lengths, with males usually stopping their growth at 3.5 metres. Specimens mostly live for around eighty years.
The diet of the bluntnose sixgill shark consists primarily of flounder and crustaceans, although they have been known to scavenge a meal from an abandoned whale or sea lion carcass. Although large, the sixgill is not a major threat to divers.
Fossils of similar sharks to the bluntnose sixgill date back to the Triassic Period, with the shark itself thought to have evolved into today's specimen before the extinction of the dinosaurs.
This shark grows up to 5 metres long, although it is generally only female specimens that reach such lengths, with males usually stopping their growth at 3.5 metres. Specimens mostly live for around eighty years.
The diet of the bluntnose sixgill shark consists primarily of flounder and crustaceans, although they have been known to scavenge a meal from an abandoned whale or sea lion carcass. Although large, the sixgill is not a major threat to divers.
Fossils of similar sharks to the bluntnose sixgill date back to the Triassic Period, with the shark itself thought to have evolved into today's specimen before the extinction of the dinosaurs.
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| A bluntnose sixgill shark scavenging for food at night. Note the lack of a dorsal fin. |
Monday 14 April 2014
The Bonnethead Shark
The bonnethead shark is a subspecies from the hammerhead shark family. It is most commonly found around the Florida Quays, the Gulf of Mexico, New England, Southern California and Ecuador.
The bonnethead is a popular shark amongst anglers. The reason for this is that they breed quickly and are not likely to become endangered or protected and so to stop their abhorrent sport. Not only this, but they are small and easier to catch than their larger hammerhead compatriots.
In only one way is the bonnethead shark problematic for anglers. When caught by the tail, as they often are, the bonnethead will use its extreme flexibility to swing round and try to bite the angler who so rudely reeled it in.
Growing up to 1.50 metres long, the bonnethead is ideal prey for large seabirds, which can sometimes be seen snatching up one of these helpless sharks from the water. However, their diminutive size is beneficial when their turn comes to hunt. With help from the electroreception provided by the denticles on its cephalofoil, which help it sense it's prey, the bonnethead is perfectly equipped to hunt the crustaceans, molluscs, shrimps and small fish which share its habitat. It can pick up the movement of a crab or other small creature and then, even if it is tucked away in a cramp cave which would have been the end of a possible meal for its fellow hammerheads, the bonnethead will remain unperturbed and will use its size to its advantage: sticking its rather smaller head into the cavern and emerging with a meal.
Although timid and not dangerous to humans, bonnethead sharks have been known to bite anglers when reeled onto a boat. Bonnetheads are often seen in aquariums, where their cephalofoil can represent the most famous feature of all sharks from the hammerhead family to enthralled onlookers, from a safe distance.
The bonnethead is a popular shark amongst anglers. The reason for this is that they breed quickly and are not likely to become endangered or protected and so to stop their abhorrent sport. Not only this, but they are small and easier to catch than their larger hammerhead compatriots.
In only one way is the bonnethead shark problematic for anglers. When caught by the tail, as they often are, the bonnethead will use its extreme flexibility to swing round and try to bite the angler who so rudely reeled it in.
Growing up to 1.50 metres long, the bonnethead is ideal prey for large seabirds, which can sometimes be seen snatching up one of these helpless sharks from the water. However, their diminutive size is beneficial when their turn comes to hunt. With help from the electroreception provided by the denticles on its cephalofoil, which help it sense it's prey, the bonnethead is perfectly equipped to hunt the crustaceans, molluscs, shrimps and small fish which share its habitat. It can pick up the movement of a crab or other small creature and then, even if it is tucked away in a cramp cave which would have been the end of a possible meal for its fellow hammerheads, the bonnethead will remain unperturbed and will use its size to its advantage: sticking its rather smaller head into the cavern and emerging with a meal.
Although timid and not dangerous to humans, bonnethead sharks have been known to bite anglers when reeled onto a boat. Bonnetheads are often seen in aquariums, where their cephalofoil can represent the most famous feature of all sharks from the hammerhead family to enthralled onlookers, from a safe distance.
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| A bonnethead shark in an aquarium. Note the shape of the cephalofoil. |
Sunday 23 March 2014
Record Migration for a Great White Shark (continued)
Finally, after many months hard effort, Lydia the great white shark has crossed the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is the border between the East and West Atlantic, making her the first ever trans atlantic swimming great white shark!!
When a scientific research boat hauled her on board for a medical checkup recently, they pronounced her healthy and, what's more, pregnant. Soon, a new great white could be stepping up to face the challenge that its mother was the first to complete. Chris Fischer, one of the scientists who has been monitoring Lydia stated that she was mostly likely heading for the supposed great white birthing grounds in the Mediterranean Sea, which, if that became her destination, make her the longest migrating great white shark in history. Mr. Fischer also added that "If you forced me to guess where that (the birthing grounds) was, I'd say it was over in the Mediterranean, near Turkey... but that's longball I'm playing. She could turn around right now and head back to Florida."
Congratulations to Lydia, the first ever trans-atlantic swimming shark.
When a scientific research boat hauled her on board for a medical checkup recently, they pronounced her healthy and, what's more, pregnant. Soon, a new great white could be stepping up to face the challenge that its mother was the first to complete. Chris Fischer, one of the scientists who has been monitoring Lydia stated that she was mostly likely heading for the supposed great white birthing grounds in the Mediterranean Sea, which, if that became her destination, make her the longest migrating great white shark in history. Mr. Fischer also added that "If you forced me to guess where that (the birthing grounds) was, I'd say it was over in the Mediterranean, near Turkey... but that's longball I'm playing. She could turn around right now and head back to Florida."
Congratulations to Lydia, the first ever trans-atlantic swimming shark.
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| Lydia the great white shark during her medical checkup. |
Sunday 9 March 2014
Record Migration for a Great White Shark?
A great white shark, affectionally named Lydia, was tagged off Florida in March 2013. She was 4.4 metres long. Until now, no great white shark had ever been recorded to have swum across the Atlantic, but Lydia is currently swimming near to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, an underwater mountain range which marks the border between the East and West Atlantic.
She is 1, 000 miles from Cornwall, England and an amazing 3, 000 miles from where she was first tagged in Jacksonville, Florida. Since being tagged, she has travelled a breath-taking 19, 000 miles.
The longest ever migration of a great white was when the shark Nicole swum from South Africa to Australia over a nine month span from November 2003 to August 2004, covering 12, 400 miles.
Lydia could be well on her way to breaking that record. Any day now, news could come of success.
Dr Gregory Skomal, senior fisheries biologist with Massachusetts Marine Fisheries, stated that "We have no idea how far she will go, but Europe, the Med, and the coast of Africa are all feasible."
Good luck to Lydia, who could possibly become the first great white shark to make a trans-Atlantic crossing.
She is 1, 000 miles from Cornwall, England and an amazing 3, 000 miles from where she was first tagged in Jacksonville, Florida. Since being tagged, she has travelled a breath-taking 19, 000 miles.
The longest ever migration of a great white was when the shark Nicole swum from South Africa to Australia over a nine month span from November 2003 to August 2004, covering 12, 400 miles.
Lydia could be well on her way to breaking that record. Any day now, news could come of success.
Dr Gregory Skomal, senior fisheries biologist with Massachusetts Marine Fisheries, stated that "We have no idea how far she will go, but Europe, the Med, and the coast of Africa are all feasible."
Good luck to Lydia, who could possibly become the first great white shark to make a trans-Atlantic crossing.
Sunday 2 March 2014
Blog Views
This post shows the top ten viewing countries, browsers and operating systems for this blog. If your country is not there, it could be close, so keep viewing!!
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