The Bull Shark (It lurks in the shallows, even in fresh water. And it loves to kill.)

Slate ^ | July 18, 2001 | Douglas McCollam

[KevinDavis]

Who is going to be the person that does it???

[spetznaz]

Finally an article that shows the shark species that bodes the greatest peril towards humans. I am actually shocked that the media is even bothering picking up on the Bull shark ....normally they just label every attack a 'Great White shark' act.

[DogBarkTree]

Hillary would be safe surrounded by hungery bull sharks. There are some things even THEY wont eat. ;)

[School of Rational Thought]

"Bull Shark" I thought they were talking about Hillary for a minunte"

That would be "Bull dike"

[Zavien Doombringer]

Ok, in defense of VA Beach, only one attack 2 years ago, Bull Shark at Sandbridge...Haven't had one since and it was a long time before... Been here for 30 years and only recall one attack... Hatteras has sharks all over the place.. (I surf so I see them in the water) but they never seem to bother. they chase the skates and rays.

[malakhi]

What about the Landshark?

I... uh... I'm just a dolphin, ma'am. ;o)

[malakhi]

PETA people eating tasty animals

AETP -- animals eating tasty people.

[presidio9]

[Wristpin]

"The Bull Shark (It lurks in the shallows, even in fresh water. And it loves to kill.)"

Maybe it shpuld be called the Pit-Bull shark.

[softwarecreator]

LOL!  Would be funny, wouldn't it?  By the end of the week Ted kennedy will be screaming on the Senate floor, demanding an investigation.

[TFMcGuire]

You back to nature guys are like public defenders. Always on the wrong side and always willing to make excuses for killers.

Look, man has as much right to predation as a crummy shark or alligator.

The marine world will not suffer if large sharks are hunted and fished to decrease their numbers.

I personally have more sympathy for an eight year old girl or a 15 year old boy than for an aggressive, efficient predator which has become a mankiller.

[KevinDavis]

You are right it would be funny.. Somebody should and see what happens..

[TBall]

If I remember correctly the bull shark attack in Sandbridge was in 2001 one day before the attack on the couple in Hatteras.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Makes for good press...higher ratings and keeps the shareholders happy...

[Icthus]

Another possible explanation is the lack of recent rain here in the area (FL Panhandle) has the baitfish/predators closer to shore due to the higher salinity of the water.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Hmmm, not sure of the time frame... but they were close. I didn't think the couple was at Hatteras, I thought they were close to Pea Island....

A nice place near the Oregon Inlet, where the fish and sharks play...

Ocracoke sounds about right...

Are you from the area?

[presidio9]

[presidio9]

[Zavien Doombringer]

[Corin Stormhands]

I think it was the location of the attacks, not the number that made it bizarre. Certainly the Va. Beach and Hatteras fatalities.

The Virginia Beach attack was at Sandbridge, just across the border from NC and the Outer Banks.

BUT, what most people forget is that the attacks in 2001 (our attention was diverted by 9/11) in Va. Beach and OBX were in the evening. Even the guards leave at 5:00 p.m. Those attacks occurred around 6:00 p.m....or dinner time-ish.

Simple rules to live by...

- don't swim in the early morning or early evening. Sharks aren't as active during the middle of the day.

- watch the birds, if they're diving, there's fish. "Fish are food, not friends."

- don't pee in the water

- don't wear shiny jewelry in the water

- don't go in the water with an open wound, and wimmin don't go in when it's "that time."

That said, most of this is hype. Yes, there are a few shark attacks and fatalities.

But you're statistically safer swimming in the ocean than you are walking down just about any urban street in the U.S.