Beachgoers at Florida’s Navarre Beach Monday were treated to a very special experience. A very large shark was following a school of fish that brought it close to shore.
A video posted by Cristy McCallie Cox shows the shark swimming among the people visiting its natural habitat.
Shouts from the crowd can beach heard telling unaware swimmers to get out of the water.
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“Hurry, hurry, get out of the water,” a woman can be heard saying in the video.
Every year, millions of tourists and residents visit Florida’s beaches and waterways, and these beaches and waterways will more than likely contain sharks.
According to experts, while there are no guaranteed ways to avoid shark bites, understanding shark behavior could help you make better decisions on when and where to swim.
“It’s very important for people who visit Florida waters to be aware of their surroundings, understand the relative risks, and be educated on various shark issues such as behavior, biology and fisheries,” says Brent Winner, scientist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI).
In Florida, sharks typically move inshore and north in the spring and summer, and offshore and south in fall and winter months.
This pattern explains why shark activity is at its peak in Florida waters during April through October, which coincidentally, is also the time period that humans are more likely to be in the water.
Yet shark bites still remain very rare. Humans are 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning in Florida than to be bitten by a shark. Experts agree that the increase in the number of shark bites in recent years is more related to an increase in human visitors than to an increase in shark populations or activity.
Here are some of the sharks that are common in Florida:
- Lemon shark – The most common shark in Florida waters. It is a large shark that can grow up to 10 feet long. Lemon sharks are found in shallow coastal waters and nearshore reefs. They are scavengers and eat a variety of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
- Tiger shark – A large, aggressive shark that can grow up to 20 feet long. Tiger sharks are found in both shallow and deep waters. They are opportunistic feeders and eat a variety of animals, including fish, turtles, seabirds, and even dolphins.
- Great hammerhead shark – The largest species of hammerhead shark. They can grow up to 20 feet long and have a distinctive head that is shaped like a hammer. Great hammerhead sharks are found in shallow coastal waters and nearshore reefs. They are filter feeders and eat small fish, shrimp, and squid.
- Bull shark – A large, aggressive shark that can live in both salt and freshwater. Bull sharks are found in coastal waters, rivers, and even lakes. They are known to be aggressive towards humans and are responsible for more attacks than any other shark species in Florida.
- Blacktip shark – A medium-sized shark that is found in shallow coastal waters and nearshore reefs. Blacktip sharks are gray with black tips on their fins. They are active swimmers and are often seen in schools.
- Nurse shark – A bottom-dwelling shark that is found in shallow coastal waters and bays. Nurse sharks are gray or brown and have a large head and blunt snout. They are relatively docile sharks and are not known to attack humans.
These are just a few of the many shark species that can be found in Florida waters. It is important to remember that sharks are wild animals and should be respected.
If you see a shark in the water, it is best to stay calm and avoid making any sudden movements.
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