164 Sharks: The Animal Answer Guide
on stingrays—but how else are you going to get a meal? (Note that evolu-
tion doesn’t select for elaborate traits that have no function. If specialized
spines that injected venom didn’t deter some predators via a painful, learn-
able reaction, the prey animals wouldn’t waste all those genetic resources
evolving them.)
Sharks engaged in one of their famous feeding frenzies will continue
to feed even though they have been sliced open by another shark. In some
cases, they will feed on their own digestive system that is spilling out of
their wounds. Does this mean they don’t feel pain, or is it that the excite-
ment of the moment allows them to ignore the pain? (We’ve all experi-
enced this to one degree or another during intense physical exertion.) We
really don’t know. Feeding frenzies occur when large amounts of food are
suddenly available for a short period of time, just the sort of opportunity
that sharks are built to take advantage of. Foregoing feeding would be a
significant lost opportunity.
What should I do if I find an injured shark?
Sadly, there is probably little you can do to help an injured shark. It’s
probably best to leave it be. If it’s a large shark, or if you know your sharks
and think it’s a rare species, a local university fish collection or public mu-
seum may be interested in the animal for research or display. Really big
sharks are always of interest to the media, who will call an expert for iden-
tification, and you could wind up on the evening news (hopefully with a
shark conservation message to contribute). Most importantly, realize that,
as with any injured animal, handling it can be dangerous. Even small sharks
can inflict painful and serious injuries, and wounded animals of all species
are seldom as grateful for our efforts as we might like to believe.
What should I do if I find a shark that looks diseased?
As in the case of injured animals, it’s best to leave a diseased shark alone.
External lesions, sores, or other signs of disease may indicate water quality
problems, such as pollution or harmful algal blooms. You could call a lo-
cal health department, inform them of the location and particulars, and let
them decide. Few things on the beach smell worse than a large decaying
shark, so local officials will probably want to dispose of the animal quickly.
How can I see sharks in the wild?
Given the hundreds of sharks, skates, and rays that occur in shallow
water around the world, it’s likely that anytime you’re in the ocean, there’s
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