File under WTF

Now, I'm going to be the first person to tell you that if you want to swim with Great White Sharks, you should be prepared to be eaten. Not that it's dangerous all the time, plenty of people get into a cage, chum the water near them, then get to observe an increasingly pissed off shark try to get at them while taking pictures and gushing about cheating death.

This is why this story doesn't suprise me at all. Because when it comes down to it, the reason people do these things is to CHEAT DEATH, and that's pointless if death isn't pretty close, and bitey.

There's video:

"But according to the diver who posted the video online, this dopey maneating Great White went wild by MISTAKE."

File under WTF

Scientists have confirmed the second case of virgin birth in a shark. That's the last thing anyone needs isn't it? A theoretically immortal toothy killing machine that can give birth asexually. Great, thanks for that one.

There have been nearly a dozen reports of suspected virgin births in sharks in recent years, but scientists largely assumed these cases were the result of long-term sperm storage by females after mating with males. Virgin birth is now the more probable explanation, and DNA testing is underway to confirm it in additional sharks. Chapman is currently analyzing the DNA of yet another shark species with Dr. Kevin Feldheim of the Field Museum in Chicago.

Oh YAY! more of this on the horizon, that sounds great. But you know what sounds even better?

From the people who brought you shark chumming and shark chumming from inside a metal cage I'm somewhat appalled to bring you....

SWIMMING WITH GIANT CROCODILES

The newly-opened attraction, Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, offers the chance to be lowered into a tank full of crocs, among them suspected man-eaters, wearing nothing more than a mask, snorkel and swimsuit or trunks.

First of all, kudos to Crocosaurus Cove on having a fantastic name, secondly, WTF?

In the interest of careful blog journalism, I will now hold an interview with that Crocodile via telepathic communication.

The Pirateologist General: What's up Croc?

Crocodile: I am going to eat you

PG: What do you think about this new tourist attraction?

C: I am going to eat you so much

PG: How about those cages, does that look secure enough to keep you out?

C: Nawm, Nawm, Nawm, Smack, Smack, Smack.

Sharks... eek

Sharks are a great fear of mine, and I don't think it's entirely irrational. Aquariums aside, were I interacting with a shark, it seems likely that the chances would be high that the shark would be at the advantage.

Also, Damien Hurst's freaky art piece has been a fixture in my nightmares since Sensation.

So, we know where I stand on the issue of sharks. That said though, they're fascinating creatures.

In the interest of discussing these elegant and terrifying creatures, here's some recent shark news.

Over 100 new species of sharks and rays have been recently identified. Despite these newly identified species, Sharks are in peril globally. Like other predators, they are over-hunted, either for their fins for popular soups, or as trophies.

Sharks reputations are pretty poor, much like wolves which were hunted nearly to extinction in North America, but like wolves, are essential parts of the ecosystem.

Shark attacks on humans are a terrifying specter since the beginning of the 20th century when sea-bathing first became an accepted recreational activity. Since then, there has been a tug of war between reporting shark attacks and protecting the interests of tourism.

One of the most interesting sites I've recently run across is Shark Conspiracies, which points out some areas where reporting of shark attacks is lax.

Nautical Superstitions

A shark following the ship is a sign of inevitable death.
Sharks were believed to be able to sense those near death.