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Type of sharks in North Carolina
Bull Sharks
Bull sharks are some cranky customers and they are very commonly the guilty party when a bite occurs in North Carolina. Part of that is because they are so common. The other part is because they are not very shy about humans.
Bull sharks get very large and they have been implicated in a large number of North Carolina bites.
Tiger Sharks
Tiger sharks are among the most dangerous predators in the sea and North Carolina is listed among the cruising lanes that they frequent.
The tiger shark is second only to the great white in ferocity and attacks on humans, so they certainly should be given a very wide berth.
Sand Sharks
These sharks are by far the most common sharks you might see along the shoreline in North Carolina and generally speaking they are very docile. They look rather fierce with rows of protruding teeth and they can grow to around ten feet long. As a rule, the sand shark
will not bother swimmers unless provoked into doing so.
Black Tip Sharks
These are primary targets for fishermen along North Carolina piers and coasts. They put up a great fight on your line and they also strike fairly easily if you know what you are doing. Black tips are also very common in our North Carolina waters.
They generally are not going to attack humans, but they certainly are capable.
Oceanic White Tip
Found mostly out to sea, you see less of these than you do the others on this list. White tips are caught on occasion and they are capable biters if you provoke them. They are strong sharks with a nasty temperament when they are reeled in.
Caution should certainly be taken when they are spotted in the water.
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Tips for Surviving a Shark Attack
Three species of shark are responsible for most human attacks: great white, tiger, and bull sharks. A hammerhead might freak you out, but it probably won't bite you.
Sharks see contrast well, so wearing bright colors like yellow and orange is not a great idea. Also avoid shiny jewelry as sharks may mistake it for fish scales.
Always swim with a buddy, and don't swim at dusk or at night. Sharks don't have the best vision, so when it's dark, you look like dinner to them.
Creatures of the sea know much more about the waters than you ever will. So, if turtles and fish start freaking out, there's probably a reason. If you witness erratic behavior from other animals, there might be a very large, toothy beast approaching. Take a cue from those who have seen it before and take off.
If you're menstruating, stick to the sand. Blood attracts sharks. Think of it as a great excuse to stay out of the water and work on your tan! Female or male, if you cut yourself on a reef or a rock while swimming, it's best to get out right away -- the smell of blood to* a shark is like the smell of fresh doughnuts to humans.
Allowing dogs to swim in the ocean can be dangerous if you're in shark territory. Animals swim erratically, attracting the attention of sharks. Don't let pets stay in the water for long periods of time.
If there's a dorsal fin on the horizon, letting people know is a good idea. The more people know what's going on, the better off you are if the situation worsens. Then quickly swim toward shore as if your life depends on it . . . because it just might.
If you aren't able to get to shore and a shark approaches you, try to stay still and be quiet to avoid an attack.
The zigzagging shark is looking for angles, so if you can back up against a reef, a piling, or some other kind of outcropping, do so. This reduces the number of angles the shark has to come at you. If you're in open water, get back-to-back with your swimming buddy. You do have a swimming buddy, right?
If a shark is circling you, that means it's about to strike. Time to fight back!
It might sound ridiculous, but try to stay calm. If you're being attacked by a shark, go for the eyes and gills, the most vulnerable parts of the shark. If you can wound the eyes, you've got a chance.
Although opinions differ, the general consensus seems to be that if you can get a clear shot, hitting the shark on the nose can be highly effective at ending the attack. Trouble is, when you're being attacked, hitting a specific target becomes challenging at best.
Don't play dead. This does nothing but make the shark think it has won. The shark wi*ll then commence chomping. Clearly, this is not what you* want it to do. Also, if you've been attacked, get away as fast as you possibly can. Sharks smell blood. You didn't fare too well with the first one and there are probably more on the way.
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