Scientists say that shark attacks on humans are not always apparently

Sharks may not be responsible for rare human bites as we assumed. In a study issued today, scientists argue that at least some shark bites should be considered a form of self -defense.

Marine biologists from France led the research, Published In the limits in memorization sciences. After analyzing the shark bite data from all over the world, they estimated that about 5 % of the shark bites are fully defensive, instead of sharks that try to capture their next meal. The researchers say the results should help inform the shark bite.

The main researcher Eric Klua, a shark specialist at the University of PSL, was an inspiration to consider the subject through the observations he made during his field studies in French Polinisia.

Often heard about the fishermen who systematically slaughtered sharks, which had become unintentionally trapped in fish pens. These sharks were sometimes biting fishermen if they did not initially kill the animal. He also heard reports about the cross -shark bites on the underwater spyrefire, as the shark seemed to attack only because they wanted the hunter to remain away from their prey.

“In accurate examination, the opportunity arose for the model of the self -defense mechanism described in the study, which insists on human responsibility and not sharks in this type of accident,” Kalwa told Gizmodo in an email.

The researchers first analyzed the data from the sharks registered in the French Polynesia – specifically, the accidents that contain at least some information about the potential motivation behind the bites. Between 2009 and 2023, 74 sharks were documented in the area. The researchers found that four of these bites, 5 % of the total, were driven by self -defense.

Then each and his team wandered through data from Global shark attack filesWho documented nearly 7,000 sharks since 1863. They examined classified bites as provocative, including people who have been placed close to sharks. Again, he saw about 5 % of the bites they studied -322 bites in general-to meet self-defense standards.

These criteria include sharks that strike immediately after a human procedure, or can be considered, aggressively, and the bites are repeated but left non -deadly surface wounds. Ironically, the defensive shark bite may be violent in an inconsistent manner compared to the humanitarian work that preceded it, such as a shark that was cut off by preparing a person trying to return him to the water. But this other than consistency may simply be a sign of shark to survive at any cost, according to Clua.

He said: “The results of this study show that sharks have right, like any animal or a person to defend themselves when their stay is at stake.” “They also show that it is advisable not to reach the help of sharks in danger, because it will not necessarily see this human work positively and may interact strongly.”

By revealing many motives behind sharks, the team hopes to prevent them from happening in the first place. People should not interact with or approach sharks, for example, even if they are not harmful or appear in danger. In general, they should be in groups of at least two people when swimming in the places where sharks live, which may reduce the risk of an ongoing predatory attack. Unlike some land predators, Clua adds, staying still will remain no Bend a predatory shark from the attack, so you should always try to defend yourself if the worst scenario occurs.

At the same time, researchers note that sharks are usually afraid of humans. As a result, shark bites are not very common, and are rarely fatal compared to other human reactions.

There was only 88 sharks It was registered all over the world in 2024 And seven relevant deaths, for example. In contrast to that, River’s mares are estimated To attack at least 500 people per year, and the increasing number of numbers increases when you think about the diseases that are spread by certain animals (save mosquitoes malaria Only half a million people are killed every year). So, although it is important to exercise good safety in water that can contain sharks, people (including correspondents) should also increase the risk of infection in the first place.

“In addition to reducing the number of such bites in this field, we hope that one of the main effects of our study is to modify the vision and position of journalists, by noting that they are taking a closer look at the circumstances in which the bites occur, without systematically blamed animals, but they made humans more responsible.”

The team plans to continue to study other types of shark bites, such as the “exploration” bites that it moves as human sharks may bite human beings to test whether it is an appropriate prey.