Peaceful Predator

There are many misconceptions when it comes to the great white shark.

These majestic creatures come from a line of species that have been around for millions of years. There's a reason they've been traveling the Earth's waters for that long as they are great survivors and able to adapt to damn near any environment.

Flexibility within patterns and migration habits along with them being skilled and intelligent hunters unintentionally fall in line with the famous quote from Bruce Lee.

"Be water my friend."

A true apex predator of the deep.

It's fair to agree that the only animal the great white will not challenge is the killer whale orca. Mammals are unique in their own ways as well. Them along with dolphins.

One of the most interesting components of the great white is that they have never been successfully held within captivity due to their mysterious nature. They are also very solitary creatures who use body language to communicate with other sharks. They are aggressive by nature but more less when they need to be including when they are hunting or when they feels as though they are threatened.

Make no mistake about it, they are extremely dangerous and should be treated with respect by maintaining healthy boundaries in the waters of our planet.

The arrogance of man often believes it is he at the top of the totem pole or food chain.

The hard truth is that these specific animals have been here long before humans and we should respect that.

Understanding the behavior of sharks and how to co exist with them should always be the first priority when it comes to dealing with them. On top of the history behind their existence which makes them a force to be feared with when it comes to creatures of the sea, the movie "Jaws" which was a box office hit with a cult following did no justice for the great white. It gave people the impression that sharks prey on humans and love the taste of human flesh and blood.

THIS IS FALSE.

Here are a few facts about the great white shark

-They bite more out of curiosity rather than preying on humans

- They have a strong sense of smell that can detect a colony of seals up to two miles away

- They are at the top of their food chain (apex predator)

- Their powerful tails allow them to swim up to 40 miles an hour

- They like to take their prey from beneath which is a breaching technique when they burst out of the water

- When they give birth, their pups immediately swim off into the ocean

(Warning signs have taken over many beaches in Cape Cod, MA)

When we take the time time to understand these majestic creatures, we will better be able to learn they ways and adapt to the world we share with them.

Specifically when a great white is unable to detect a moving or floating object in the water that is irregular from their diet they take a bite so they can sample it. After the bite that will determine if they like they taste or not. You usually may see this on videos when a dead whale carcass is floating in the ocean and they will take a bite first before they consume the meat.

Literally like us rounding up samples in a food court and trying various foods to see if we want to eat at a particular restaurant.

Sharks also like to feed on fish, birds, and other surface dwelling marine animals.

When a great white is not searching for food atop the ocean's surface or hunting for their favorite dish which are seals, they are usually exploring different territories.

Believe it or not they prefer warmer ocean water. This is why they're normally found in the waters of the southern parts of the pacific, atlantic, and indian oceans. Of recent, during the last ten plus years they have been making a yearly pilgrimage all to Cape Cod. Scientists are still studying to figure out what is the purpose of this annual journey.

Most suspect it is due to the fact that seals travel farther north in the Atlantic Ocean because of the water temperatures during summertime.

Wherever the food goes, the sharks soon will follow.

Guess seals like to cool off as well.

Ironically the movie Jaws was filmed in Martha's Vineyard which is only just a ferry ride away from The Cape.

The evolution of these beautiful creatures is one of the greatest human experiences our planet can offer.