The International Shark Attack File helps me learn more about shark attacks around the world.
Every year, I read about sharks attacking humans and this has made it a challenge in many places.
However, shark attacks are rare, and have been exaggerated to make them look like the bad guys than hippopotamus, which kills more humans.
There are three types of unprovoked attacks experienced from sharks.
In this article, I will talk about where the shark attacks happen most.
Before I begin this discussion, let me highlight the different types of unprovoked shark attacks.
Hit and run attack: This type of attack is common and happens in the surf areas.
Surfers and swimmers suffer most from this attack, but the shark only bites and never come back.
The United States cruise ship suffered a mishap in 2022 when a shark killed a passenger near the Bahamas.
It was realized that a bull shark was behind the attack and in 2019, a shark killed another person.
Sharks have bad name because of the numerous attacks we hear on the news yearly.
In the United States, Atlantic sharks can spend a major part of their lives swimming in different coastal waters.
The other two types of attacks include:
- Bump and Bite
- Sneak Attack
These two attacks can kill the victim because of the aggressiveness of the sharks.
While the file reports shark attacks worldwide, but I know that some attacks are not reported.
For instance, in third world nations, many attacks are not reported.
Sometimes, sharks attack because of mistaken identity that result due to low visibility, hunting for food, or a territorial threat.
I recommend that you not wear shiny outfit when there is low visibility to avoid a mistaken attack by sharks
Where are the most shark attacks in the Caribbean?
The Bahamas has the highest number of attacks in the Caribbean.
The Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File said that 73 unprovoked shark attacks were recorded last year in the state.
The attacks took place within the official homes of the sharks, but the sharks were not provoked by the victims.
Has a Caribbean reef shark ever attacked a human?
Yes.
The Caribbean reef shark has attacked humans, but it is not all the time Caribbean reef sharks attack humans.
Sharks attack humans the same way they attack their prey.
A shark will attack you when it feels its life is threatened.
Have you thought of swimming with sharks?
I remember how scared I was when I tried swimming in Aruba around its reef.
Although I didn’t have any shark experience, I didn’t feel comfortable because of the many stories I heard about shark attacks.
On the other hand, the experience is different whenever you try the adventure.
For instance, when I visited Fiji in the Bahamas, I had the opportunity of swimming with tiger sharks or bull sharks.
I came with my friends, who motivated me to try this experience.
I spend one hour swimming with these creatures before I let go of my fears about Caribbean reef sharks.
You should understand that sharks can be aggressive and dangerous, so you have to keep away from them while swimming.
Finally, there is a high probability of coming across sharks if you have to go snorkeling on some of the best reefs in the world.
I bet you don’t want such an encounter.
Reef sharks Facts
- Once the name Shark is mentioned, we can all imagine what they can do, and we know we have to avoid them.
- However, when you meet a reef shark in the deep sea, you will have close to zero means of escape.
- Many reef sharks live in reefs all over the world, but that will not stop us from going snorkeling on reefs.
- Reef sharks are not among the sharks that pose threat to humans.
Reef sharks have five subspecies which are blacktip reef shark, grey reef shark, Caribbean reef shark, silvertip reef shark, and whitetip reef shark.
- Only 24 cases of attacks on humans have been recorded against this shark species for hundreds of years since this record-keeping started.
- Although 24 is a figure, note we are talking about all the millions of sharks in the region.
Divers and snorkelers encounter reef sharks every day, and a thousand times yearly
- Reef Sharks have never been culpable of any life-threatening attack on record.
All the 24 people that have been victims of reef shark attacks survived.
- They are aggressive when they see food and can attack, but they do not kill.
They are the main predators on a reef.
Their adults can be between 2 meters and 3 meters long.
Their teeth look very dangerous.
They can shred flesh from bone, and are capable of killing someone in water if they want, but they have not since record time.
Are Caribbean reef sharks aggressive?
No.
Caribbean reef sharks are no threat to humans, they only get aggressive when humans provoke them.
Caribbean reef sharks are excitable.
I have listed what you should know about the reef sharks
- They sometimes play with divers.
Their food is bony fish and bigger water invertebrates.
They have a perfect sense of smell, sight, touch, and hearing.
They are electrically vibrant too.
- The shark has small pores beneath its skin with which it senses networks.
It features a lateral canal system, like other sharks with which it detects vibration in the water.
It bites its prey with the side of its mouth through a quick, sideways snap of the jaws.
- However, bigger species of sharks like Tiger and Bull prey on Caribbean reef sharks.
- Caribbean reef sharks do not lay eggs, they give birth to their young ones.
Between 2 to 3 months, the females are mature for sex, and the male between 1.5 and 1.7 months.
- They give birth to between 4 to 6 babies at a time and each one measures about 70 cm.
The region of the northern hemisphere is yet to understand the reproductive behavior of this specie of shark.
- The summer season which is between November and December is the birth period of their females in the southern hemisphere.
The males leave the females with scars after mating.
You can travel to any Caribbean island without experiencing a shark attack.
Every year, thousands of tourists visit these islands and have the best time of their lives.
I suggest that you make your enquires before heading to any Caribbean island.
