Top Ten Sharks That Attack Humans
Sand sharks a/k/a sand tiger, grey nurse and ragged tooth. Their name reportedly comes from their habit of hanging out near the shoreline, trolling the ocean floor where the waves break close to the beach.
Blue sharks have been known to go for humans and for boats out in sea and are therefore classified as a "dangerous" species. There are also reports of attacks following air or sea disasters with accounts suggesting shipwrecked sailors have been maimed by them.
Fatal attacks attributed to the copper shark (bronze whaler) include the 2014 death of a swimmer in Tathra, New South Wales, Australia, and the 1976 death of a swimmer in Te Kaha, New Zealand. Three out of ten shark attacks in New Zealand are attributed to Copper sharks.
The Shortfin Mako is believed to be the fastest of any shark, able to swim up to 20 miles per hour. Prior to attacks, the sharks tend to swim in figure eight patterns and approach their prey with mouths open.
The oceanic whitetip may only have seven unprovoked attacks and two fatalities on the books, but that's because it might be getting away with many of its crimes by not leaving any evidence. Marine explorer Jacques Cousteau ranked this shark as one of the most dangerous for its brazenness in evaluating prey [source: Bright].
According to the International Shark Attack File, the Tiger shark ranks No. 2 behind the white shark in the number of reported attacks on humans. The shark-monitoring group notes that the animal's "large size and voraciousness" qualify it as a formidable ocean predator.
According to the International Shark Attack File, the Tiger shark ranks No. 2 behind the white shark in the number of reported attacks on humans. The shark-monitoring group notes that the animal's "large size and voraciousness" qualify it as a formidable ocean predator.
Great Whites get most of the headlines but Bull Sharks may be the most dangerous shark of them all. It has been recorded in 69 unprovoked attacks on humans but researchers believe the numbers may be higher because of the lack of easily identifiable markings.
These sharks include great white sharks, tiger sharks, and bull sharks. The hammerhead shark, also known as mano kihikihi, is not considered a man-eater or niuhi; it is considered to be one of the most respected sharks of the ocean, an aumakua.
Facts About The Blacktip Reef Shark The Blacktip Reef Shark, also known as the Carcharhinus Limbatus, gets its name from the pointed snout and black tips on its fins (especially its dorsal fin). This is considered one of the most beautiful sharks in the Ocean and are seen often by divers since this species prefers shallow waters.