By SETH BORENSTEIN Great white sharks have some things in common with human serial killers, a new study says: They don't attack at random, but stalk specific victims, lurking out of sight. The sharks hang back and observe from a not-too-close, not-too-far base, hunt strategically, and learn from previous attempts, according to a study being published online Monday in the … [Read more...]
Archives for 2009
Interview With A Shark Expert
Aaron Cohen, of the Unlikely Words blog and resident of Somerville, MA, was kind enough to send in some of his recent shark-related work, including an interview with George Burgess of the International Shark Attack File. We've excerpted a bit below and linked to both parts of the interview: George Burgess is the director of the International Shark Attack File, which tracks … [Read more...]
WHITE MIKE: Great White Shark Conservation
This story actually hit our radar due to the mention of Jessica Alba avoiding felony vandalism charges for putting up the White Mike posters... The following is from the WHITE MIKE website: "You may seen have the WHITE MIKE posters around the city of Los Angeles–Malibu, PCH, Downtown L.A., Bel-Air, Hollywood, Melrose–but the real story behind the WHITE MIKE image is meant to … [Read more...]
Komodo Dragons Terrorize Indonesian Villagers
USA Today reports on a series of komodo dragon attacks in Indonesia. Something new to Fear Beneath! KOMODO ISLAND, Indonesia Komodo dragons have shark-like teeth and poisonous venom that can kill a person within hours of a bite. Yet villagers who have lived for generations alongside the world's largest lizard were not afraid — until the dragons started to attack. The s … [Read more...]
Cage-Diving Tours Found Not To Increase Shark Risk
In what seems like the opposite of common sense, The Honolulu Star Bulletin is reporting on scientists who state that there is apparently no correlation between shark cage-diving tours and an increased risk for being attacked by a shark. Check out the full story for all the details: There is no scientific evidence that Oahu North Shore cage-diving tours increase shark … [Read more...]
New Smyrna Beach Resumes Shark Carnage Season
It must be that time of year - the waters are frothing with blood after two shark attacks in the infamous Shark Attack Capital of the World, New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County, Florida. Two men were bitten by unidentified sharks within five minutes of one another - arm yourselves and prepare for the impending shark invasion! NBC Miami reports on the attacks and makes a … [Read more...]
Is Carcharodon Megalodon Flourishing In Pacific Ocean Trenches?
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBmIIr9ZgIE&feature=channel_page A faithful Fear Beneath reader passed along what look to be an entertaining read - a new book coming out that "is a must for any shark enthusiast!" "Steve Alten will be releasing his fourth installment of the 'MEG' series on May 19, 2009. The series focuses on the possibility that carcharodon megalodon is … [Read more...]
Stand-Up Paddle Surfers: Irresistible Shark Attack Victims?
The recent influx of clueless kooks standing up on small cruise-liners in many local lineups is part of the awful agony of the new stand-up paddle surfing trend, the pain felt especially bad in Southern California. This article, published a couple months ago (yeah, we're lazy) over at MyLocalLineup.Com seems to issue a warning; stand-up paddle surfers represent a delicious … [Read more...]
BEWARE THE BIXBY SHARK KILL-ZONE
A fearful and dedicated reader of The Fear Beneath sent in these EXCLUSIVE and graphic images from the coast of the Bixby Ranch, in Northern Santa Barbara County. The images depict the badly decomposing and scavenged carcass of a seal, common local sea life in Santa Barbara County and a favorite snack of sharks, due to the energy-rich fatty flesh of the pinniped. A gaping … [Read more...]
Sharks Terrorize Australian Beaches
There's been an unprecedented rash of shark attacks in Australia lately, and intense levels of shark activity rocked the California and Florida coasts in 2008. Should you be afraid of the man in the grey suit? Of course you should. There's a distinct possibility that climate change is affecting the number of fatal shark attacks. Soon the sharks will take to the streets … [Read more...]