For years, the great white shark was a source of curiosity and fascination, but that was before the movie “Jaws” gave it a bad rap. From the first appearance of the film on the big screen, people saw more than just a natural predator, they were terrified by what seemed to be a cold-blooded killer always on the prowl for human flesh.
The influence of the media
Today, with shark attacks documented on the internet and in the media, people fear this giant fish even more. It’s gotten to the point where people are even challenging the laws that protect the great white shark from the endangered species list.
“Jaws”, short story or marine biology?
As we already know, Hollywood has a magic touch with special effects and fictional stories, but unfortunately, people often confuse them with reality. It’s gotten to the point where people are wondering which part is fiction and which part is fact.
Reality or fiction?
Done – The largest great white shark ever recorded measured 7 m and weighed approximately 2 tons.
Fiction – “Jaws” does not represent the average size of a great white shark, as it was portrayed as being 7m or more in length.
Done – Being carnivorous, great white sharks can attack humans, especially if they are mistaken for a seal or are being challenged by a fish with a harpoon, for example.
Fiction – The great white shark chases, plans, and attacks humans like a cold-blooded killer. In fact, his brain does not allow him to think things through, he only reacts on instinct.
Done – The great white shark is now a protected species as it is also an endangered species. Which was the reason? Some Asian cultures enjoyed its dorsal fin as a culinary delicacy. What was the most common prey? They certainly weren’t human!
Fiction – In “Jaws”, humans were depicted as the regular main dish on his daily menu. In fact, the great white shark will often set human prey free after tasting it, as humans are too bony. Given a choice, a seal will be a better meal.
Done – The great white shark is one of the three most aggressive shark species involved in attacks on humans. The other two species are the tiger shark and the bull shark.
Fiction – According to the film, the great white shark is the most dangerous predator in the oceans. An ocean or a sea is home to a wide variety of predators that are only trying to feed themselves to survive.
Done – You have a better chance of being killed in a car accident or struck by lightning than a great white shark. Only a maximum of 60 deadly shark attacks have been recorded per year.
Fiction – Every time someone was hunting “Jaws” or setting foot in the water, someone ended up on their menu. In fact, the great white shark prefers seal colonies to human ones. This is why when a human is mistaken for its natural food source, it will often survive as there will most likely not be a second bite.
As you can see, while the great white shark deserves our respect, its reputation has come under attack. There are ways to live in the same world avoiding getting hurt. While there are several ways that could help prevent a close encounter with a great white shark, confusing fiction with reality will help no one.