"The water's fine! Come on in! But wait-there are sharks in it! Would you swim with sharks? Many people do! Marine biologists swim with sharks to learn more about these top predators. Snorkelers witness whale sharks and spy spotted leopard sharks. Some thrill-seekers even cage dive to get face-to-face with the giant toothy jaws of great whites! Readers will find out how scientists and adventurers alike are getting up close to all kinds of shark species and what they are discovering"--
Humans spend more time in or on the water than ever before. We love the beach. But for many people, getting in the water provokes a moment’s hesitation. Shark attacks are big news events and although the risk of shark attack on humans is incredibly low, the fact remains that human lives are lost to sharks every year. Shark Attacks explores the tension between risk to humans and the need to conserve sharks and protect the important ecological roles they play in our marine environments. Marine biologist Blake Chapman presents scientific information about shark biology, movement patterns and feeding behaviour. She discusses the role of fear in the way we think about sharks and the influence of the media on public perceptions. Moving first-hand accounts describe the deep and polarising psychological impacts of shark attacks from a range of perspectives. This book is an education in thinking through these emotive events and will help readers to navigate the controversial issues around mitigating shark attacks while conserving the sharks themselves.
A comprehensive new look at the great white shark. Great White Shark covers all aspects of this great but sadly misunderstood ocean predator. There are three sections: Portrait of the Great White; Searching for the Great White; and Requiem for the Great White? Together they describe shark biology and behavior (some of it previously unknown, such as hunting in groups) and describe how researchers and conservationists study and protect sharks. The last section considers the plight of the shark and paints an accurate portrait of this remarkable creature. It also surveys the deadly dangers faced by great white sharks, such as finning and ocean garbage. More than 100 dramatic photographs of sharks fill the book. Topics include: The role of the great white shark in marine ecosystems Complete survey of great white shark biology and behavior Great white shark attacks Identifying and tagging sharks Shark protection around the world Range map and essential facts Protection legislation Further reading for adults and children, films and internet sites. Four experts -- underwater photographer Frédéric Buyle, oceanographer Catherine Vadon, marine zoologist Michael Scholl, and marine biologist Bernard Séret -- reflect on the future of the species now living on borrowed time. Great White Shark is an exciting new chapter in shark research.
Examines the use of shark cartilage for preventing and treating cancer and other degenerative diseases, discussing research, the results of clincial testing, the FDA, and other topics
Dr. Greg Skomal, biologist and head of the Massachusetts Shark Research Program, is investigating a controversial possibility: Might Cape Cod’s waters serve as a breeding ground for the great white shark, the largest and most feared predatory fish on Earth? Sy Montgomery and Keith Ellenbogen report on this thrilling turning point in marine research and travel to Guadeloupe, Mexico, to get up close and personal with the sharks. This daring expedition into the realm of great whites shows readers that in order to save the planet and its creatures, we must embrace our humanity and face our greatest fears. This is an ideal read for Shark Week or anytime!
Explores the world of one of the most fascinating, frightening creatures on the planet, offering a compelling look at the shark's often misunderstood life in the wild.
In this remarkable groundbreaking book, a documentarian and conservationist, determined to dispel misplaced fear and correct common misconceptions, explores in-depth the secret lives of sharks—magnificent creatures who play an integral part in maintaining the health of the world’s oceans and ultimately the planet. From the Jaws blockbusters to Shark Week, we are conditioned to see sharks as terrifying cold-blooded underwater predators. But as Ocean Guardian founder William McKeever reveals, sharks are evolutionary marvels essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. We can learn much from sharks, he argues, and our knowledge about them continues to grow. The first book to reveal in full the hidden lives of sharks, Emperors of the Deep examines four species—Mako, Tiger, Hammerhead, and Great White—as never before, and includes fascinating details such as: Sharks are 50-million years older than trees; Sharks have survived five extinction level events, including the one that killed off the dinosaurs; Sharks have electroreception, a sixth-sense that lets them pick up on electric fields generated by living things; Sharks can dive 4,000 feet below the surface; Sharks account for only 6 human fatalities per year, while humans kill 100 million sharks per year. McKeever goes back through time to probe the shark’s pre-historic secrets and how it has become the world’s most feared and most misunderstood predator, and takes us on a pulse-pounding tour around the world and deep under the water’s surface, from the frigid waters of the Arctic Circle to the coral reefs of the tropical Central Pacific, to see sharks up close in their natural habitat. He also interviews ecologists, conservationists, and world-renowned shark experts, including the founders of Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior, the head of the Massachusetts Shark Research Program, and the self-professed “last great shark hunter.” At once a deep-dive into the misunderstood world of sharks and an urgent call to protect them, Emperors of the Deep celebrates this wild species that hold the key to unlocking the mysteries of the ocean—if we can prevent their extinction from climate change and human hunters.
Do great white sharks hunt humans? Can a great white eat a boat? Are great white sharks cold-blooded killers? Take a trip to the ocean's depth to learn the truth about these infamous creatures. From the most current information on their swimming habits and ancient ancestors to details about their conveyor belt of teeth, armored skin and super senses, kids will be fascinated by these amazing creatures. Special sidebars offer extra information on what it's like to dive in a shark cage, how to measure a great white, and its different nicknames around the world. Over 50 full-color photographs including a gigantic shark gatefold bring the informative text alive and will thrill budding marine biologists. Includes a detailed glossary, bibliography and index.