The great white shark is often portrayed in popular culture as a vicious man-eater that actively hunts and targets humans as prey. But do great white sharks actually target humans, or are shark attacks simply cases of mistaken identity?
Do great whites mistake humans for seals and sea lions?
Many experts believe that most great white shark attacks on humans are a case of mistaken identity. From below, a surfer on a board may look remarkably similar to a seal or sea lion floating on the surface. Both seals and humans on boards move their arms and legs in a kind of paddling motion, which may confuse the shark.
Sharks rely heavily on their vision when hunting. When light conditions are low, or the water is murky, sharks may not be able to clearly identify potential prey. So if a human is in the wrong place at the wrong time, a great white could initiate an exploratory bite, realizing the mistake only after the first devastating bite.
Do great whites view humans as potential prey?
While the mistaken identity theory may account for many great white shark attacks, some experts believe great whites are capable of identifying humans as potential prey in certain circumstances.
In waters where humans and sharks overlap, and sharks have enough interactions with humans, some sharks may start to associate humans with food. For example, if sharks are regularly fed by humans, have access to human trash or fishing bycatch, or are attracted by speared fish, they can start to identify humans as an easy meal ticket.
In areas like Australia and South Africa that have seal colonies, great whites may also view humans in wetsuits as theoretically possible prey, even if they don’t confuse them for seals. Characteristics like splashing at the surface while swimming may make humans seem like attractive targets.
Do great whites ever intentionally hunt humans?
While great whites are certainly capable of eating humans, most experts agree they do not actually hunt humans. Humans are simply not part of their natural diet, and not a preferred prey source.
There are a only a handful of sharks that are considered truly dangerous to humans. These include bull sharks, tiger sharks, and possibly oceanic whitetip sharks and mako sharks. Great whites do not fall into this category of sharks known to actively prey on humans.
That being said, there is some evidence of individual sharks that engaged in serial attacks on humans. For example, in 1916 there was a series of shark attacks along the New Jersey shore that were likely caused by a single great white referred to as the “Jersey man-eater.” However, these cases are considered rare aberrations.
Fatal great white shark attacks by decade
| Decade | Fatal attacks worldwide |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 14 |
| 1990s | 10 |
| 2000s | 14 |
| 2010s | 13 |
This table shows the number of confirmed fatal great white shark attacks worldwide by decade, from the 1960s to 2010s. The numbers average around 10 fatal attacks per decade.
What locations have the most great white shark attacks?
Three areas around the world are hotspots for great white activity and attacks: the South African coast, Australia and surrounding islands, and the Pacific coast of North America. Here is a comparison of these three regions:
| Location | Total recorded attacks | Fatal attacks |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 263 | 82 |
| Australia | 287 | 82 |
| California and Baja | 158 | 13 |
Australia has the highest number of attacks, but fatalities are similar in South Africa and Australia and much lower in the Americas. The higher fatality rate in Africa and Australia reflect the great whites’ preference for targeting seals and pinnipeds.
Why do these regions have more attacks?
These regions have some key factors that contribute to shark attacks:
- Large seal, sea lion, or whale populations that the sharks feed on
- Areas where sharks migrate close to shore and overlap with human activities
- Areas with large number of people swimming, surfing, diving etc.
- Warmer waters that great whites prefer
The combination of natural shark prey like seals, shark migration patterns, and high levels of human ocean activity in warm waters leads to more encounters and attacks.
When do most great white attacks occur?
There are certain situations and conditions where great white shark attacks are more likely to take place:
- Season: Attacks increase during warmer months like summer and fall when more people are in the water.
- Time of day: Attacks often occur in early morning or evening when light conditions make it harder to see.
- Water clarity: Attacks are more frequent when waters are murky.
- Moon phase: Some evidence shows attacks are higher during new moons. This could also be related to darker conditions.
- Tide: High surf conditions may play a role by bringing sharks closer to shore.
- Behavior: Splashing or erratic movements can attract sharks.
By avoiding these high-risk situations, people can reduce their odds of a shark encounter.
Are certain people more likely to be attacked?
Great white sharks do not actively select humans as prey, so they likely do not discriminate between different types of people. However, some trends are apparent in shark attack statistics:
- Surfers and others near the water surface are most at risk.
- Almost 80% of attack victims are male.
- People in black wetsuits may resemble seals.
- Shiny jewelry can mimic fish scales.
This may simply reflect the demographics of who spends more time doing aquatic activities like surfing. Overall, anyone entering waters inhabited by sharks is at some degree of risk.
Has shark behavior towards humans changed over time?
There is no evidence that great white sharks are becoming more aggressive towards humans or actively targeting them more over recent decades. Global fatality rates have remained fairly steady for a century.
However, a few factors may increase incidental shark-human interactions:
- Improved medical care increases survival of attacks
- Increased population and tourism brings more humans to shark habitats
- Climate change expands shark ranges to new areas
- Overfishing reduces natural shark prey
With more humans and more sharks in shared waters, encounters are likely to increase even if shark behavior remains the same.
How can the risk of great white shark attacks be reduced?
Here are some tips that individuals and authorities can follow to promote safer oceans:
- Avoid swimming at dawn, dusk or night when visibility is poor.
- Do not enter the water if bleeding or menstruating.
- Avoid erratic splashing motions.
- Swim, surf, or kayak in groups for safety.
- Avoid areas near seal colonies.
- Follow lifeguards’ instructions if sharks are sighted.
- Use shark deterrent devices on surfboards or wetsuits.
- Implement shark detection technologies like drones and nets.
- Post warning signs at beaches were sharks are active.
- Set and enforce regulations on chumming or feeding sharks.
Conclusion
The evidence suggests great white sharks do not intentionally hunt humans. Most attacks are cases of mistaken identity or investigative bites by curious sharks. However, great whites are powerful predators, and in specific circumstances they can pose a danger to humans entering their domain. By understanding where and when sharks and humans overlap, and how to avoid attracting them, the risk can be minimized for all ocean users.