Deep Dark Water - Shark Attack StoriesIts Not Safe.               Shark Attack Chronicles.

This is just breathtaking .. Professional predators. What I want to know is how they take such amazing footage.

Aggressive by nature, bull sharks are considered by many to be the most dangerous shark in the oceans.

They also have one very interesting feature which distinguishes them from their famous cousins ( the great white and tiger sharks ). Bull sharks can swim in fresh water.

Yep, that’s right. It might be the last place you expect to be harassed, but bull sharks have been known to swim upstream into rivers and lakes! They’ve been spotted thousands of miles up the Amazon River, and in South America they’ve even been seen leaping up river rapids ( like salmons ) to reach Lake Nicaragua. Its even been seen as far up the Mississippi River as Illinois.

Named for their unpredictable disposition, their short, blunt snout, and the fact that they often “head- butt” their prey before attacking, the bull shark are fast and agile and will eat just about anything that comes their way.

Say you’re on a family vacation, enjoying the beach house, the sand, the food, volleyball, and play in the ocean. Actually, you’re pretty set on riding the high waves in on a surfboard or body board. How can you increase your peace-of-mind when nothing separates you from the jaws of a shark but chance ?

While the chances of a shark attack are extremely low, there’s still that chance… You can either put it out of your head entirely, or attempt to lessen the chance even further!

Here’s the top 10 ways to keep Jaws from eating you for dinner:

10) Do not tease or corner a shark ( seems pretty obvious, right? .. Apparently this happens ? )

9) Swim in groups and pay attention to your companions ( In case a shark gets one ?! )

8) Do not carry tethered dead or injured fish ( again, seems obvious )

7) Do not swim with domestic animals in waters known for sharks ( So don’t bring your dachshund in the water with you at New Smyrna Beach, FL )

6) Avoid drop-offs, mouths of rivers after heavy rains, deep channels, and sanitation waste outlets ( gross )

5) Stay away from fishers and fishing boats ( think: bait fish and blood )

4) Avoid large groups of fish, seals, and sea lions ( you would be swimming with the shark’s food menu )

3) Do not wear shiny jewelry or high-contrast swim wear. ( Sharks may see shiny stuff as fish scales and may be generally attracted to your circa 1984 fluorescent yellow LA Gear short shorts )

2) Do not bleed in the water ( including menstruating ). Sharks can smell and taste a single drop of blood up to a MILE away, often tracing it back to the source!

And the number one way to avoid a shark attack ?

1) Avoid shark infested water, particularly at dusk and at night

Sharks helping humans ?

Not exactly what you think of when picturing a shark in your head, is it ? But its true, the ocean predator with cold, grey eyes and rows of teeth may actually save you from cancer one day.

Apparently scientists are learning to isolate the extremely resilient antibodies found in a shark’s immune system, potentially developing drugs that will slow or stop the spread of cancer.

Basically, sharks are rarely sick, having extremely robust immune systems. In fact, shark antibodies can withstand high temperatures and very acidic or alkaline conditions.

Researchers say that cancerous human cells actually grow less when shark antibodies become attached. Its seems as if there is some evidence that points to slowing the spread of breast cancer, malaria, and rheumatoid arthritis as well.

Hooray for jaws!