Do Bright Colors Attract Sharks? We Took A Closer Look

Sharks are some of the most feared predators on Earth.

They live in a variety of waters around the globe, from tropical seas to polar oceans, and are known for their powerful jaws and sharp teeth.

Their large size makes them a formidable opponent, but they are vulnerable to attacks from humans.

Shark attacks are rare, but when they happen, they can be deadly. In fact, shark bites are responsible for over half of human fatalities due to marine animal attacks.

The reason behind these attacks is not always clear, but scientists believe that certain colors may play a role.

We took a close look at the truth behind this and considered the colors most likely to attract sharks.

What Is A Shark?

A shark is an elongated fish with a long body, pointed snout, and two dorsal fins.

It has five-gill slits located along its sides, which allows it to breathe air and take in oxygen through its skin.

There are over 1,000 different types of sharks, each with unique characteristics.

Some are fast swimmers, while others prefer to lurk in deep waters. Most sharks are carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.

But some are omnivorous, eating both plants and meat.

The largest living predatory fish, the great white shark can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh thousands of pounds.

Great whites are found in all oceans, except the Arctic. They usually swim near the surface of the water but can dive down to depths of 200 feet or more.

The second-largest shark is the basking shark, which grows to about 30 feet long.

It lives off the coasts of Europe and North America, feeding mainly on plankton.

Basking sharks are often mistaken for sea cows because of their similar appearance.

The third-largest shark is the whale shark, which can reach lengths of 40 feet and weigh up to 60 tons.

Whale sharks are only found in warm coastal waters, where they feed on small organisms floating in the ocean’s surface.

The fourth-largest shark is the goblin shark, which can grow up to 10 feet long.

It is named after its resemblance to a goblin, which is a mythical creature with a head resembling a skull.

Goblin sharks live in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Sea.

The fifth-largest shark is the nursehound, which grows to about 12 feet long.

Nursehounds are found in tropical regions around the world, including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Key Facts About Sharks

While we continue to take a closer look at sharks, here are some key facts to help you learn more about these wonderful creatures.

Size

A shark’s size varies depending on what type of shark it is.

There are over 400 different types of sharks, ranging from tiny sand sharks to massive great whites. Some sharks grow to be over 20 feet long!

Location And Habitat

Shark habitats vary greatly. Sand sharks live near sandy bottoms, where they feed on crabs and shrimp.

Great white sharks live in cold waters around Antarctica, Greenland, and northern Canada.

Hammerheads live in tropical areas, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf Coast. Tiger sharks are found in warm oceans around Australia and Asia.

Food Habits

Sharks have many different ways of catching food. Most sharks hunt using their eyesight, but others use their senses of smell, taste, and touch.

Some sharks also use their teeth to catch food.

Predators

Sharks are usually not hunted by other animals.

However, some sharks are hunted by larger predators such as killer whales, crocodiles, and large turtles.

Behavior

Sharks communicate through body language and sounds. They also use their fins to move quickly through the water.

What Are The Main Types Of Sharks?

Sharks are a diverse species, and there are a number of different types of sharks. Some of the most famous and popular types include:

Carcharhinid Sharks

These sharks are commonly referred to as “hammerheads”. They are characterized by having large heads and long, slender bodies.

Hammerhead sharks are found throughout all oceans, but they prefer warm tropical waters. Some of these sharks grow up to 10 feet in length.

Dogfish Sharks

This type of shark has a short, blunt head and a long, muscular body.

Dogfish sharks are common along coasts and in estuaries. They feed mainly on crabs and shrimp.

Whaler Sharks

Whalers are one of the largest groups of sharks. These sharks are usually gray-colored and grow up to 20 feet in length.

Whalers are found around coastal areas and in the open ocean. They feed primarily on squid and octopus.

Rorqual Sharks

Rorquals are a group of sharks that includes blue sharks and white sharks. They are named after whales called rorquals.

These sharks are known to attack humans occasionally. Blue sharks are found worldwide, while white sharks are restricted to warmer waters.

Spiny Dogfish

The spiny dogfish is an extremely venomous shark that lives near the bottom of the sea floor. Its sharp teeth make it dangerous to people who get too close.

Tiger Sharks

The tiger shark is a large predatory shark that grows up to 16 feet in length. Tiger sharks are found in tropical waters and prefer muddy or sandy bottoms.

They feed mostly on fish, though they do sometimes take smaller animals like turtles and dolphins.

White Sharks

White sharks are among the most feared predators in the world. They have been known to kill adults and children alike.

However, they rarely attack humans unless provoked. This makes them very difficult to catch.

White sharks are usually found in cold, deep seas and prefer to stay away from beaches.

Blue Sharks

Blue sharks are not actually blue at all, but rather dark brown. They are relatively rare compared to other shark species.

Blue sharks are found in both marine environments and fresh water. They feed on crustaceans and mollusks.

Great Whites

Great whites are one of the most well-known sharks. They can grow up to 18 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds.

Great whites are also known as “white pointers” because of their resemblance to pointers.

They are found in temperate and polar regions and feed on seals, penguins, and even porpoises.

Mako Sharks

Makos are one of the fastest sharks in the world. They can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour.

Mako sharks live in shallow waters and prey on schooling fish such as tuna.

Thresher Sharks

Threshers are one of the smallest sharks. They are often mistaken for rays because of their similar appearance.

Their fins are used for propulsion, so threshers must be able to swim quickly to escape danger.

Bull Sharks

Bull sharks are one of the larger members of the shark family. They are usually found in saltwater habitats and can grow up to 30 feet in length.

Bull sharks are known to eat almost anything including birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Cownose Rays

These small sharks are native to North America. Cownose rays are harmless to humans and generally avoid contact with swimmers.

They are usually found near shorelines where they feed on small fish.

Goblin Shark

This shark is commonly referred to by its scientific name, Hexanchus griseus.

It is a member of the goby family and has six gills instead of the usual five. The goblin shark feeds primarily on crabs, shrimp, and octopus.

Whale Shark

This shark is found in warm oceans around the globe. Whale sharks are filter feeders and use their long bodies to sift plankton out of the water.

They are considered harmless to humans.

Spotted Ray

Spotted rays are a group of related sharks that are characterized by spots along their body.

Spotted rays are found throughout the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. They feed mainly on bony fishes and invertebrates.

Leopard Shark

The leopard shark is a medium-sized shark that lives in coastal areas worldwide. Leopard sharks are carnivores and will hunt down smaller sharks and rays.

What Are The Most Dangerous Types Of Sharks?

The following types of sharks are considered dangerous because of their size or behavior.

Great White Shark

This is the largest predatory shark in the world. It has been known to reach lengths of 30 feet and weigh up to 3 tons.

Its sharp teeth make it an effective hunter, and its powerful tail helps propel it forward.

Great whites are typically solitary hunters, although they sometimes travel in groups.

They prefer shallow coastal waters and may attack swimmers who get too close.

Hammerhead Shark

This shark is one of the smallest sharks. It grows to only 6 feet long and weighs less than 100 pounds.

Hammerheads are fast swimmers and excellent divers. They eat small fish, crustaceans, and squid.

Tiger Shark

Tigers are among the fastest-swimming sharks. They grow to be 12 feet long and weigh over 1 ton.

Their speed allows them to pursue prey at speeds of 50 miles per hour.

Tigers are very territorial and will chase away any other shark that comes into their territory.

Bull Shark

Bull sharks are slow-moving, bottom-dwelling sharks. They grow to lengths of 10 feet and weigh between 200 and 300 pounds.

Bull sharks are scavengers, eating dead animals and carrion. They are rarely aggressive towards people, but if provoked they can bite deeply.

How Do Sharks Eat Their Prey?

Sharks have several methods of hunting prey. One method involves using a large mouth full of sharp teeth to grab hold of the victim.

The jaws of a shark may contain anywhere from 100 to 400 individual teeth. Each tooth has a flat base and a point at the top.

When the shark bites into something, the teeth lock together like a zipper. Sharks also use their eyes to hunt.

Many species of sharks have special organs called “lenses” that help them see better underwater.

These lenses are made of transparent material and cover the front part of the eye.

The lenses focus light onto the retina, which is the layer behind the eyeball that receives information from the brain.

Some sharks have tiny whiskers on their faces that help them feel out objects in the dark.

Whiskers are sensitive touch receptors that allow sharks to detect vibrations in the water.

Some sharks have rows of bony plates covering their bodies. These plates protect predators such as rays and whales.

In addition, these plates act as shock absorbers when the shark dives underwater.

Other sharks use their sense of smell to find food. This ability helps them locate prey that floats above the water.

Are Sharks Dangerous To Humans?

There is a common misconception that sharks are super dangerous to humans, but this is not always the case.

Most sharks do not attack people unless provoked, and shark attacks are actually statistically rare.

Even though sharks rarely attack humans, it is important to remember that they are still wild animals.

If you encounter a shark while swimming or snorkeling, stay calm and back away slowly until the shark leaves your area.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of a shark attack and stay safe during swimming, and these are:

Avoid Swimming Alone

Never swim alone in an unfamiliar body of water.

Shark attacks usually occur near shorelines or beaches, so if you are planning to go for a swim, make sure you know what areas are considered risky.

Stay Out Of Areas Where Sharks Live

If you plan to visit a beach where there are many sharks, avoid swimming in shallow waters or close to the shoreline.

Know Your Surroundings Before You Go For A Swim

Before going for a swim, check the weather forecast. Heavy rain or strong winds can cause currents that could pull you toward land.

Also, be aware of any unusual behavior by other marine life, such as sea turtles or stingrays.

If you come face to face with a shark, there are a few steps that you can take that may save your life:

Back Away Slowly

When a shark approaches you, move backward slowly. Try to keep your arms and legs spread apart to give yourself more room to maneuver.

Do Not Fight Back

Try not to fight back. Instead, try to remain as calm as possible.

Sharks tend to hunt by sensing the electromagnetic field that exists around objects in the water.

This means that when you panic, kick out and flail around, you are sending out stronger waves, and this makes it easier for the shark to pick up on your signals.

In many cases, they may then confuse you with a small fish or other creature – and this means that they see you as potential prey.

Instead, try to stay still and move as little as possible – this should cause the shark to get bored or distracted, and leave you in search of easier, more interesting prey.

Why Do Sharks Attack?

The main reasons why sharks attack humans are:

Hunger

When a shark has eaten enough, it stops feeding and starts looking for new prey. If it spots someone swimming nearby, it will start hunting.

Disorientation

If a shark loses its sense of orientation while underwater, it might become disoriented and confused.

This could lead to an attack if the shark thinks that the person is a threat.

Fear

Sharks fear being attacked by people.

If a shark sees a diver, it may feel threatened and attack, and this can lead to serious consequences, injury, and even fatalities.

Aggression

Some sharks are naturally aggressive towards each other. If one shark feels threatened, it may attack another shark.

Do Bright Colors Attract Sharks?

According to some scientists, sharks are likely to be essentially colorblind.

This means they have very poor vision and rely heavily on other senses, such as smell and hearing, to detect prey.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are known to use visual cues to find food.

Researchers also say that many species of sharks will respond more strongly to certain colors than others.

There appears to be some evidence that sharks are attracted to high-contrast colors, and these tend to be shades of yellows and oranges when it comes to murky water – there is a reason that these tend to be the most popular option for diving and safety equipment.

It also means that these colors are likely to be most visible to sharks, as they can see you more clearly and easily.

What Else Attracts Sharks?

In addition to specific colors, there are other elements that can seriously attract sharks, and these include:

Fishing Nets

Sharks are often drawn to fishing nets because of the bait inside. Many commercial fishermen use live fish as bait, which attracts sharks.

Fish Bait

Commercial fishermen often use live fish as bait. When a shark bites into a dead fish, it gets hooked.

The shark then becomes trapped in the netting and dies after trying to escape.

Divers

Divers are another source of attraction for sharks. They may mistake divers for small fish and try to eat them.

Divers should never attempt to fight off a shark with their hands, as this only encourages the shark to continue attacking.

Instead, dive from a steady position and let the shark come to you.

Reflective Materials

Sharks are attracted to shiny objects like metal or plastic. These materials reflect light, making them easier for sharks to spot.

To prevent attracting sharks, wear dark clothing and cover up reflective surfaces before entering the water.

Are Sharks Endangered?

Sharks have something of a bad reputation, but in truth, humans cause more of a risk to sharks than the other way around.

Shark attacks are extremely rare, and most sharks do not even notice when they encounter a human. In fact, sharks are often afraid of us!

How Can I Help Protect Sharks?

There are several things you can do to help protect sharks, and boost conservation, and these include:

Be Aware

Learn how to identify common species of sharks. Keep your distance from sharks, and avoid touching them.

If you see a shark, stay calm and keep your hands visible.

These actions will help to reduce the risk of shark attacks and can help to protect sharks from being hunted.

Educate Yourself

Find out more about the threats facing sharks and how you can help.

Learn about the dangers of keeping aquarium fish or marine mammals, and find out which countries have banned shark fishing.

You can also read up on the various organizations working to conserve sharks.

Donate

If you would like to support shark conservation efforts, consider donating money to a charity that works with sharks.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is a good place to start.

Final Thoughts

Sharks are beautiful animals, and we need to learn to appreciate them without fear.

We must remember that sharks are intelligent creatures who are capable of feeling pain and that they rarely attack people unless provoked.

By following a few simple rules and guidelines, you want to enjoy swimming in the ocean while avoiding danger.