Published 2 years ago

Sharks may bite humans because they mistake us for seals and sea lions

Summary by NewScientist

Instances of sharks biting humans are rare, and researchers think they may happen when the marine predators confuse us for other species

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Yahoo News

Baby white sharks can't tell difference between humans and seals: Study

Swimmers beware: Hungry sharks do think you're food. Young white sharks, which are responsible for the majority of attacks on people, can't distinguish between humans and seals, according to new research. To test the theory of "mistaken identity theory" behind shark bites, researchers in Australia compared video footage of typical prey with images of humans swimming and paddling surfboards from the perspective of a juvenile white shark.

2 years ago·Los Angeles, United States

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The Guardian

Great white shark attacks on humans may be case of mistaken identity, study suggests

Apex predator is not a ‘mindless killer’ and a better understanding of why sharks bite humans could mitigate attacks, Australian researchers sayDownload the free Guardian app; get our morning email briefingOn the rare occasion a great white shark attacks a human, the bite may be the result of mistaken identity, according to new research.A study by Australian scientists suggests the apex predator may not be able to visually distinguish surfers an…

2 years ago·London, United Kingdom

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abc News

Baby white sharks can't tell difference between humans and seals: Study

Young white sharks, which are responsible for the majority of attacks on people, can't distinguish between humans and seals, according to new research.

2 years ago·United States

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Sydney Morning Herald

World-first research confirms why great white sharks bite humans

Historically portrayed as reckless killing machines, recent scientific consensus has shifted. Now scientists have sunk their teeth into the theory.

2 years ago·Sydney, Australia

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CBS News

Why do great white sharks bite humans? Research shows it may be a case of mistaken identity.

To juvenile great white sharks, swimmers, surfers and seals look dangerously similar on the ocean's surface.

2 years ago

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Phys.org

Study confirms mistaken identity may explain why sharks bite humans

World-first research testing a simulated 'shark vision' model on swimming patterns of humans, seals and sea-lions, confirms theories that when great white sharks bite humans, it may be a case of mistaken identity.

2 years ago·United Kingdom

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