Latest news with #FloridaMuseumofNaturalHistory
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
You're probably not going to get attacked by a shark, but being in the U.S. does make it more likely
There is something about sharks. Of all the massive, deadly, fascinating creatures that roam our planet, sharks stand out for how much they capture our imaginations and trigger our fears. There's no Bear Week or Snake Week or Elephant Week. There's only Shark Week. There's good eason for that. Sharks are remarkable animals. They've been around for hundreds of millions of years and have survived five mass extinction events. Their surprise attack hunting tactics and cold, expressionless faces make them ideal fodder for cinematic horror stories. It's no surprise, then, that a majority of Americans have a significant fear of sharks. In a recent poll by Chapman University, more people said they are afraid of sharks than said the same about earthquakes, hurricanes and even murder. Sharks do kill people, but the number of fatal attacks is much smaller than you might think. Only four people died from shark bites last year, according to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), a database of shark encounters maintained by researchers at the Florida Museum of Natural History for decades. Not all shark bites are deadly, of course. There were 47 unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2024. Only one person in the U.S. was killed by a shark last year, an experienced surfer and lifeguard who died after being attacked while surfing in Hawaii last summer. But a majority of the world's sharks bites (60%) in 2024 occurred in U.S. waters. That's consistent with long-term trends. The United States consistently sees more shark bites than any other country. The researchers with the ISAF have tracked shark attacks all the way back to the 16th century. According to their database, there have been nearly 1,700 recorded shark attacks in the U.S. since the 1500s, more than double the number in any other nation and just under half of the total attacks worldwide. When it comes to deadly shark bites, though, the U.S. falls well behind Australia, which has seen more than 250 fatal attacks in its history. Why does the U.S. have so many shark attacks? The answer is more about circumstances than anything else. To put it simply, the U.S. has a whole lot of places where humans can come into contact with sharks and a whole lot of people for sharks to bite. The U.S. has nearly 100,000 miles of coastline (almost 70,000 if you don't include Alaska). Only a few countries have more and some of those, like Canada and Russia, bump up against frigid Arctic seas where you won't find many humans or sharks in the water. The U.S. also has a much larger population than other countries with large coastlines, which leads to many more opportunities for sharks and humans to come into contact. It's estimated that there are 3.4 billion trips made to American beaches every year. That's more than 100 times as many as Australia, the place with the second-largest number of shark attacks all time. Finally, the oceans surrounding the U.S. happen to be part of the habitat of the 'big three' sharks (great whites, tiger sharks and bull sharks) that are blamed for most deadly attacks. America's shark bite capital Shark bites aren't distributed evenly across the U.S. either. While California, Hawaii and the Carolinas see their share, Florida is unquestionably America's shark-attack capital. Half of all shark bites in the U.S. last year — more than a quarter of all bites worldwide — occurred in the Sunshine State. Over the past two centuries, Florida has seen four-and-a-half times as many shark attacks as any other state. If Florida were its own country, it would rank No. 1 on the list of nations with the most total shark attacks. Even within Florida, attacks are concentrated in certain areas. Volusia County, home to Daytona Beach, is where the bulk of the state's bites occur, thanks to its high population of sharks and popular surf spots. Fortunately the area is home mostly to spinner sharks and black tip reef sharks, which are much smaller and less dangerous than their deadlier relatives. How to make the risk even smaller The odds of any one person being killed by a shark are extraordinarily low, much lower than the odds of being killed by a dog, fireworks or lightning. But if the fear of being attacked still haunts you, there are things you can do to reduce your risk even further. Here are the top tips, according to Gavin Naylor, research director of the ISAF: Don't go in the water alone Don't go in the water at dawn or dusk Don't go in the water where there are a lot of fish Don't wear reflective jewelry in the water Try to avoid splashing at the surface
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
You're probably not going to get attacked by a shark, but being in the U.S. does make it more likely
There is something about sharks. Of all the massive, deadly, fascinating creatures that roam our planet, sharks stand out for how much they capture our imaginations and trigger our fears. There's no Bear Week or Snake Week or Elephant Week. There's only Shark Week. There's good eason for that. Sharks are remarkable animals. They've been around for hundreds of millions of years and have survived five mass extinction events. Their surprise attack hunting tactics and cold, expressionless faces make them ideal fodder for cinematic horror stories. It's no surprise, then, that a majority of Americans have a significant fear of sharks. In a recent poll by Chapman University, more people said they are afraid of sharks than said the same about earthquakes, hurricanes and even murder. Sharks do kill people, but the number of fatal attacks is much smaller than you might think. Only four people died from shark bites last year, according to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF), a database of shark encounters maintained by researchers at the Florida Museum of Natural History for decades. Not all shark bites are deadly, of course. There were 47 unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2024. Only one person in the U.S. was killed by a shark last year, an experienced surfer and lifeguard who died after being attacked while surfing in Hawaii last summer. But a majority of the world's sharks bites (60%) in 2024 occurred in U.S. waters. That's consistent with long-term trends. The United States consistently sees more shark bites than any other country. The researchers with the ISAF have tracked shark attacks all the way back to the 16th century. According to their database, there have been nearly 1,700 recorded shark attacks in the U.S. since the 1500s, more than double the number in any other nation and just under half of the total attacks worldwide. When it comes to deadly shark bites, though, the U.S. falls well behind Australia, which has seen more than 250 fatal attacks in its history. Why does the U.S. have so many shark attacks? The answer is more about circumstances than anything else. To put it simply, the U.S. has a whole lot of places where humans can come into contact with sharks and a whole lot of people for sharks to bite. The U.S. has nearly 100,000 miles of coastline (almost 70,000 if you don't include Alaska). Only a few countries have more and some of those, like Canada and Russia, bump up against frigid Arctic seas where you won't find many humans or sharks in the water. The U.S. also has a much larger population than other countries with large coastlines, which leads to many more opportunities for sharks and humans to come into contact. It's estimated that there are 3.4 billion trips made to American beaches every year. That's more than 100 times as many as Australia, the place with the second-largest number of shark attacks all time. Finally, the oceans surrounding the U.S. happen to be part of the habitat of the 'big three' sharks (great whites, tiger sharks and bull sharks) that are blamed for most deadly attacks. America's shark bite capital Shark bites aren't distributed evenly across the U.S. either. While California, Hawaii and the Carolinas see their share, Florida is unquestionably America's shark-attack capital. Half of all shark bites in the U.S. last year — more than a quarter of all bites worldwide — occurred in the Sunshine State. Over the past two centuries, Florida has seen four-and-a-half times as many shark attacks as any other state. If Florida were its own country, it would rank No. 1 on the list of nations with the most total shark attacks. Even within Florida, attacks are concentrated in certain areas. Volusia County, home to Daytona Beach, is where the bulk of the state's bites occur, thanks to its high population of sharks and popular surf spots. Fortunately the area is home mostly to spinner sharks and black tip reef sharks, which are much smaller and less dangerous than their deadlier relatives. How to make the risk even smaller The odds of any one person being killed by a shark are extraordinarily low, much lower than the odds of being killed by a dog, fireworks or lightning. But if the fear of being attacked still haunts you, there are things you can do to reduce your risk even further. Here are the top tips, according to Gavin Naylor, research director of the ISAF: Don't go in the water alone Don't go in the water at dawn or dusk Don't go in the water where there are a lot of fish Don't wear reflective jewelry in the water Try to avoid splashing at the surface
Boston Globe
20-07-2025
- Science
- Boston Globe
Here's what shark experts do to stay safe in the ocean
You're more likely to die falling into a hole at the beach, in a riptide or in an alligator attack than from a shark bite, according to data from the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File. Last year, the museum recorded 47 unprovoked bites worldwide. 'They're not these monster killers that just come flying in whenever there's bait,' said Neil Hammerschlag, a shark researcher based in Nova Scotia, Canada, who charters cage-diving expeditions to bring tourists up close to blue, mako and great white sharks. 'They're very cautious.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Hammerschlag, who's been studying sharks for 24 years, said some are more curious about the color of the boat or the sound of the engine than the 20 pounds of sushi-grade tuna he brings on each trip as bait. Advertisement Chris Lowe, the director of the Shark Lab at California State University in Long Beach, said he has 'hundreds, if not thousands of hours footage' of sharks near the shore in California. And, most of the time, they're there to relax, he said. For three years, researchers in Lowe's lab surveyed 26 beaches from Santa Barbara to San Diego with drones and saw sharks swim right under surfers without changing course. 'It's like they are ignoring us,' he said. 'We're just flotsam, not food or foe.' Advertisement The Washington Post asked Hammerschlag and Lowe what they do and the advice they give beachgoers who want to avoid a shark encounter. Be aware of your surroundings Lowe said when he's out in the water he spends some time looking behind himself and others, 'like checking my mirrors when I'm driving.' Sharks are stealthy and try to approach other animals from behind. Don't treat the ocean like Disneyland, Lowe said. You're in a wild place where you can't eliminate all risks. His advice: Be vigilant. It will reduce your likelihood of a shark swimming up too closely to investigate you. And, do your homework about the body of water you're swimming in. 'Who are you going to be sharing the ocean with? Is it sharks? Is it stingrays?' Lowe said. 'When we go in the ocean, we are entering someone else's home.' Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk and night Sharks may confuse a human foot for a fish, or a surfboard for a seal, when visibility is poor, such as in lowlight conditions. Sharks use their mouth and teeth to inspect what's in front of them like we use our hands, Hammerschlag said. 'Most shark bites of people are not predatory,' he said. 'When sharks have bitten people, it seems that they're investigatory or mistaken identity.' Don't wear reflective jewelry in the water The light glimmering off jewelry can look like a fish scale to a shark, Hammerschlag said. He adds reflective stickers to the cage he uses on diving expeditions to try to catch a shark's attention. Don't swim near someone who's fishing A fish caught on a line could get the attention of a shark. 'Those vibrations are like ringing the dinner bell for a shark,' Hammerschlag said. Advertisement However, it can help to swim near other people, Lowe said, since groups of people might be more intimidating than solo swimmers. Don't swim where there's an 'unusual amount of fish activity' If you see fish jumping out of water or birds diving for a meal, there could be a 'bait ball' of fish nearby, and that's a feeding opportunity for sharks, Hammerschlag said. There's a myth that a pod of dolphins can ward off sharks. But, he said, the opposite may be the case. 'If there's a big bait ball of fish that dolphins are feeding on, the sharks could be feeing on that, as well,' Hammerschlag said. Don't panic when you spot a shark If you see a shark in the water, don't panic and swim away, Hammerschlag said. If you do, the shark might see you as prey. And, 'you're not going to outswim a shark,' he said. Instead, orient your body so you're always facing the shark and maintain eye contact, Hammerschlag said. Sharks can't sneak up on you if there's no element of surprise. 'You're showing the shark that you see it, and you're responding to it,' he said. 'And that is not a situation that a hunting shark wants to be in.' If you're scuba diving, you can also sit on the ocean floor; sharks tend to approach potential prey from below, Hammerschlag said.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Time of India
Shark bites surfer at Florida's Volusia County beach: Why is it called the ‘shark bite capital of the world'?
A surf instructor was bitten on the foot by a shark at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, marking the fourth shark encounter in Volusia County this year. The incident occurred around noon, resulting in a 'nasty' but non-life-threatening injury. New Smyrna Beach is known as the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World' due to its high number of unprovoked shark attacks. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Emergency vehicles rushed to the scene Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why Volusia County is a hotspot for Shark bites A surfer suffered a 'nasty' injury after a shark bit him on the foot in Florida's New Smyrna Beach on Friday, July 18, 2025. The bite marked the fourth shark encounter in Volusia County. The injury, however, was not a life-threatening one. An 18-year-old was surfing on the beach, also known as the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World.' It's in a Florida city notorious for shark encounters, where the incident took unidentified teen, a surf instructor, according to local NBC affiliate WESH, was at New Smyrna Beach around 12 PM (local time) on July 18, 2025, when the encounter took place, Tamra Malphurs, director of the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, told local outlet FOX the shark bite incident, the surf instructor was rushed to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, Malphurs told FOX 35. The surfer's boss described the injury as 'nasty,' according to WESH. An anonymous eyewitness suggested that several first responders arrived on the scene of the attack, according to PEOPLE. This marks the fourth shark encounter in Florida's Volusia County so far this year, according to the county emergency vehicles and a police car arrived 'pretty quickly' after the surfer was bitten, the bystander told WESH. 'And some of the instructors came and got the lifeguard on the stand here and down.'New Smyrna Beach, a surfing hub south of Daytona Beach, is widely known as the 'Shark Bite Capital of the World,' according to WESH and The Daytona Beach than two weeks before the July 18 attack, a man identified as Matthew Bender was bitten by a shark while surfing in the Florida city, per FOX 35."I felt it clamp down like a bear trap out of nowhere," Bender told the outlet of the attack, which took place on July 6. 'By the time I looked down, it was already gone. I never saw the shark, but it bit really forcefully. It felt like electricity and like extreme pressure.'"And then I think it shook its head. I definitely felt that as it was letting go,' added Bender. 'It was also fast.'There have been 359 'unprovoked' shark attacks recorded in Volusia County since 1882, the most of any Florida county, according to the International Shark Attack File, the Florida Museum of Natural History's database. The next highest is Brevard County, with County 'is conducive toward shark bites' due to a 'confluence of factors,' Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum of Natural History's Florida Program for Shark Research, previously told The Daytona Beach that there are also environmental factors like the nutrients in the region, Naylor told the newspaper in 2024, 'You need a bunch of sharks, and they need to be in the mood to bite things, and you need a bunch of people in the same area at the same time.'Sharks like blacktips and spinner sharks, which are also found in the area, 'are highly piscivorous,' the evolutionary biologist told The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Naylor further explained that their diet typically consists of fish, so when they bite a person, the reaction of the injured individual scares them away. 'If they were bull sharks or tiger sharks,' Naylor said, 'they might stick around a little bit more, and the injuries would be a lot worse.'
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Map: Here's where the most shark attacks have happened
The Brief At least 1,660 "unprovoked" shark attacks have been reported in the U.S. since the 1800s. Florida leads the nation in the number of attacks, with far more than any other state. The International Shark Attack File has tracked shark attacks in the U.S. as far back as the early 1800s – long before the 1916 shark attacks along the New Jersey coast inspired the "Jaws" novel and movie. As cinephiles mark the 50th anniversary of "Jaws," a popular beach in Florida has been deemed the "shark bite capital of the world." In 2024, there were 47 "unprovoked" shark bites around the globe, and 28 of those happened in the U.S., according to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File (ISAF). There were also 24 "provoked bites," which happen when humans try to interact with sharks. The ISAF has tracked shark attacks in the U.S. as far back as the early 1800s – long before the 1916 shark attacks along the New Jersey coast inspired the "Jaws" novel and movie. Shark expert George Burgess, former director of the Florida Program for Shark Research, described the 1916 Jersey Shore attacks as "the most unique set of shark attacks that ever have occurred" in a 2012 interview with Smithsonian Magazine. Spielberg's 1975 film, based on Peter Benchley's novel, captured that same sense of mystery and fear—and turned it into box office history. RELATED: 'Jaws' was fiction; this was the terrifying true story You can read more about the "Jaws" anniversary and the 1916 shark attacks here. By the numbers Florida has reported 942 shark attacks since 1882, far more than any other state. Julie Andersen, founder of the New York-based Shark Angels, told Fox News Digital that shark sightings and encounters have increased from coast-to-coast, but it doesn't mean there are more sharks in the ocean. The 47 unprovoked bites recorded in 2024 were far below the 10-year average of 70 shark bites a year. What they're saying "The rise in sightings is due to a mix of factors: more people in the water, better technology, shifting ocean conditions, and in some cases, successful conservation," she said. Local perspective New Smyrna Beach, located in Volusia County, Florida, "consistently tops global charts for shark encounters," Andersen said. Dig deeper Andersen said most unprovoked shark bites are considered minor injuries. "Most of these bites are minor, often from migrating small blacktip sharks mistaking toes and fingers for small bait fish. Many don't even require stitches," she explained. There was only one unprovoked shark attack death in the U.S. in 2024. It happened off the northwest coast of Oahu, Hawaii, and claimed the life of well-known surfer and lifeguard Tamayo Perry, according to USA Today. Here's a breakdown of shark attacks in the U.S. by state: Florida: 942 Hawaii: 199 California: 141 South Carolina: 120 North Carolina : 81 Texas: 49 Oregon: 29 New Jersey: 16 Georgia: 17 New York: 24 Alabama: 10 Massachusetts: 6 Virginia: 5 Louisiana: 5 Delaware: 5 Mississippi: 2 Washington: 2 Rhode Island: 2 Maine: 2 Connecticut: 1 Maryland: 2 The Source This report includes information from the International Shark Attack File, Fox News Digital, USA Today and previous LiveNow from FOX reporting. FOX's Austin Williams contributed.
