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Why is it we dive with sharks but not crocodiles?Eli Rosenberg:
The key point is the belief that sharks have more primal and instinctual behaviors.
There are several factors that make swimming with sharks a safer activity:
1. Most sharks find humans unappetizing. Sharks expect their prey to taste like fish or seals, but we don’t fit that mold. The sensation of eating a human doesn't appeal to them. Larger sharks, like great whites, prefer seals due to their high fat and bone content, while smaller sharks typically go for fish, which they can consume in one bite. Although they might bite out of curiosity, they quickly realize, “This isn’t right” and swim away. The only shark that doesn’t mind the taste of humans is the tiger shark, which has earned its reputation as the ‘garbage can of the sea’ due to its indiscriminate eating habits and is considered one of the most dangerous species.
2. Sharks aren’t interested in picking fights. The great white’s preferred method of hunting is ambushing seals, which is why it sometimes mistakes people for seals or sea turtles. Sharks don’t need to battle for food—most species are not territorial (with a few exceptions, like the blacktip and bull sharks). The more territorial species tend to be the more aggressive ones, making them more dangerous to encounter while diving.
3. In 2016, sharks attacked around 81 people, according to the University of Florida. Of these attacks, only four were fatal, and most of the victims were surfers.
4. Enter the saltwater crocodile. Unlike sharks, the saltwater crocodile is not a fish-loving friend. Instead, it is an opportunistic, aggressive, massive predator.
5. Crocodiles attack hundreds to thousands of people each year. Depending on the species, anywhere from one-third to one-half of these attacks are fatal. In comparison, surviving a crocodile attack feels like a game of Russian roulette—with worse odds.
6. The Death Roll. When a crocodile targets a large prey, it grabs hold and spins violently. This technique drowns and disorients the victim (you). Here's a PG video showcasing the death roll. (There’s also a video on YouTube where a man inserted his arm into an alligator's mouth and got caught in the death roll. You really don’t want to see how that turned out.)
7. Remember how sharks aren’t interested in eating you or picking a fight? Crocodiles, on the other hand, are in it for the kill—and they enjoy it. Take Gustave, for example. This crocodile has allegedly killed around 300 people. (Though I suspect the real number is closer to 100, that’s still a terrifying amount.) Gustave has been known to kill just for fun, without even bothering to eat his victims. So, chances are, they might even leave you alone after they’ve taken their bite.
8. Sharks are generally predictable. Crocodiles, however, are completely unpredictable.
9. Are you in the water or near the water’s edge? To a crocodile, that’s an invitation to attack.
10. Crocodiles have been known to form groups. The squad that kills together, eats together. Crocodile gatherings have even taken down hippopotamuses, the so-called ‘murder river horses.’ Think you don’t look like a snack? Think again.
11. Take a look at this. A blacktip shark gracefully swims among vibrant coral, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and an incredible variety of marine life. I’d love to experience that firsthand!
Oh, look at all that mud. I can’t say I’m eager to jump in there. (Thanks to everyone who pointed this out!)
12. This isn’t what we’d call swimming with crocodiles. It’s more like being in a 3D aquarium.
This post originally appeared on Quora. Click here to view.
