Do Galapagos sharks attack humans?
Although the Galapagos shark is considered potentially dangerous, it rarely attacks humans.
How big do Galapagos sharks get?
The Galapagos shark reaches a maximum length of 330 cm (11 ft). Male individuals mature at lengths of 2.1-2.4 m (6.9-7.5 ft.) while females mature at 2.2-2.5 m (7.2-8.2 feet) in length. Age of Galapagos sharks at first reproductive effort is approximately 10 years.
Are there sharks in the Galapagos islands?
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most unique and biodiverse marine life worldwide, including many species that can be found nowhere else on Earth. Globally, there are over 400 known shark species and 32 of these have been recorded as being present in Galapagos.
What kind of sharks live in Galapagos?
Almost 30 species of sharks haunt the waters of the Galapagos Islands, with some of the most prominent names being scalloped hammerheads, whale sharks, horn sharks, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, tiger sharks, Port Jackson sharks, and Galapagos sharks.
What eats a Galapagos shark?
Galapagos sharks have few natural enemies. Although young sharks may succumb to cannibalism by adults, most of the mortality in the species is attributable to human activites. Galapagos sharks are actively hunted by local fishermen, who believe the species is aggressive and thus dangerous to humans.
How many shark attacks have there been in the Galapagos Islands?
7 unprovoked shark attacks
Shark attacks are almost unheard of in Galapagos. According to the website sharkattackdata.com, there have been 7 unprovoked shark attacks in Galapagos since 1954. Given that there are approximately 200,000 visitors per year now in Galapagos, the odds of being bitten by a shark are negligible.
Does Ecuador have sharks?
Though reports indicate that 28 species of shark are commonly caught in Ecuador’s waters ( Table 1 ), only six categories of sharks are reported by FAO on behalf of Ecuador: thresher sharks, shortfin makos, miscellaneous sharks, requiem sharks, hammerhead sharks and houndsharks and smoothhounds.
Does screaming underwater scare sharks?
Stay with other swimmers. If a shark attack is imminent while you are in the water, splash and yell just enough to keep the shark at bay. Sometimes yelling underwater or slapping the water repeatedly will scare the shark away.
Do I have to worry about sharks in the Galapagos?
You don’t have to worry about sharks in the Galapagos Islands. Reviewing the information on Shark Attack Data , there have been a total of just eight shark attacks in Ecuador. Since the Galapagos Islands are a part of Ecuador, this shark attack count would include the Galapagos.
What is the largest whale shark ever?
Whale Shark – 41.5 Feet. Growing up to 20 meters long and weighing 12,500 kilograms,the whale shark is without a doubt the largest shark in the world.
What are the characteristics of a whale shark?
Filter Feeding. The whale shark,like the world’s second largest fish,the basking shark,is a filter feeder.
What are Galapagos species?
Sea lion, Galapagos penguin, Giant tortoise, Great white shark, Leatherback turtle, Sei whale. Illegal fishing, non-native species and the demands of more than 160,000 tourists each year threaten this irreplaceable ecosystem and the people who depend on it for their food and livelihoods. WWF spearheaded conservation efforts in the Galápagos, including funding the construction of the Charles Darwin Research Station.