Taking a Bite out of Shark Myths

July is around the corner, and with it, Shark Week! Before you dive into the toothy terrifying footage that sure to be featured on the Discovery Channel, discover the truth behind some common shark myths and see if you can see another side to the shark than the one that Hollywood and cable TV often portrays.

MYTH

Sharks are dangerous to humans

TRUTH

MYTH

Sharks are gigantic toothy maneaters

TRUTH

Sharks range in all sizes – from the bus-sized whale shark to the inches-long dwarf lantern shark and eat all kinds of food including plankton and fish …but human is rarely on the menu.

MYTH

Sharks are mindless killers

TRUTH

Sharks are far smarter and more peaceful than you might think – they’ve show signs of intelligence like cooperative hunting and recognizing people – and will most often shy away from human activity.

MYTH

There’s plenty of sharks in the sea

TRUTH

Sadly, 1/3 of shark species are facing extinction, and with them gone, the ocean and its sea life could soon perish, since sharks help maintain the ocean’s delicate natural balance.

WANT TO HELP SHARKS?

There are a few things you can do to help these misunderstood creatures...

• Sign a petition to tell Congress to ban the trade of shark fins in the U.S.

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle

• Share the truth – rather than the myth – about sharks