Shark Attack!

It’s summer, and that means hot and humid days. What to do when your face is melting? Go to the beach, of course …  but be careful if you’re swimming around North Carolina!

Just earlier this month, a 10-year-old girl was playing with her body board off the shores of a North Carolina beach when something tugged at her ankles and she was pulled underwater. Even though she was only in 3-4 feet of water, a shark had just attacked her.

Luckily, her mother was able to pull her out and the girl survived with minimal injuries. It was scary, but not fatal. So why do sharks attack, if they aren’t trying to necessarily eat? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that, “sharks do not normally hunt humans, but if they do attack, it is usually a case of mistaken identity,” as they are conditioned to be attracted – and attack – motion in water. So have no fear swimming in the ocean this summer – you’ll be okay!

Interested in learning more about sharks and why they attack? Check sharks out in Weird n Wild Creatures. Interested in reading more about the North Carolinian attack? Check it out here.