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Dive into the secret world of sharks—nature’s OG survivors! Learn why they’re more than just movie monsters, from wild teeth tricks to magnetic navigation and even shark smarts. Find out what to REALLY do if you meet one in the water. If you love ocean mysteries, hit subscribe and tell us your favorite shark fact in the comments! #sharks #ocean #nature #wildlife #documentary
👉 This channel was created in collaboration with @kramola_online
00:00:00 - Introduction to Sharks and Documentary Overview
00:01:06 - Shark Anatomy and Adaptations
00:06:28 - Shark Evolution and Sensory Systems
00:13:47 - Diversity of Shark Species
00:18:19 - Shark Intelligence and Behavior
00:26:52 - Human Impact and Shark Conservation
00:32:21 - Sharks, Fear, Survival, and Coexistence
👉 This channel was created in collaboration with @kramola_online
00:00:00 - Introduction to Sharks and Documentary Overview
00:01:06 - Shark Anatomy and Adaptations
00:06:28 - Shark Evolution and Sensory Systems
00:13:47 - Diversity of Shark Species
00:18:19 - Shark Intelligence and Behavior
00:26:52 - Human Impact and Shark Conservation
00:32:21 - Sharks, Fear, Survival, and Coexistence
Category
🐳
AnimalsTranscript
00:00The ocean is another world, the most unexplored place on Earth, where mind and instinct are
00:05intertwined in the oldest forms of life on the planet. Among them are sharks, creatures that
00:11have survived the dinosaurs, ice ages, and millions of years of evolution, almost unchanged.
00:17We're used to seeing them in movies as ruthless killers, but behind that image lies something
00:22much more complex. They are sensitive navigators, strategists, and adapt well. Their intelligence
00:29appears in precise decisions, memory for roots, and understanding boundaries, rather than play
00:34or curiosity. And yet, from time to time, this world collides with the human one. And almost
00:41every time, disaster strikes. In this documentary, you will learn everything about sharks, what kinds
00:48there are, how evolution has changed them, and what to do if you ever encounter a shark. Let's go.
01:06Features of Sharks
01:07A shark doesn't have permanent teeth. Its whole jaw works like a conveyor belt. New teeth grow
01:14in the back, gradually move forward, and replace the old ones. In some species, this happens every
01:19two to three weeks. A shark can replace up to 30,000 teeth in its lifetime. This keeps its jaws
01:26effective,
01:27perfect for a predator that relies on its hunting tool. And the shapes of teeth in different species
01:33are surprisingly diverse.
01:35The tiger shark has flat, serrated teeth like meat knives. The mako has long, sharp teeth like needles.
01:44The hammerhead shark has slanted teeth for quickly grabbing slippery fish. The shark's trick with body
01:49temperature is interesting. Most fish are cold-blooded. But some sharks, such as great whites and makos,
01:55have muscle blood several degrees warmer than the surrounding water. This is achieved thanks to a
02:01special system of blood vessels that retains the heat produced by the muscles. As a result,
02:06the shark can hunt even in cold waters, maintaining high speed and power. Sharks are remarkable and highly
02:12resistant to infections. Their blood has substances that suppress bacteria and viruses. Wounds heal quickly,
02:18leaving no traces. This is one of the most fascinating areas of biomedicine.
02:23Scientists are studying how shark immune mechanisms can be used in human medicine. Even shark skin has
02:29antimicrobial properties. On its microscopic surface, bacteria simply have nowhere to attach.
02:35It's worth talking separately about the shark's eye. It is structured just as well as those of land
02:41predators. Most species have a reflective layer called the tapetum, like cats, which lets them see in
02:47the dark. Deep sea sharks can have enormous eyes to catch even the faintest rays of light. And some
02:54sharks can close their eyes with a special membrane during an attack to protect their vision from
02:59possible damage when colliding with prey. Shark reproduction showcases evolutionary ingenuity
03:06with nearly every reproductive method found among sharks. There are egg-laying sharks. They lay eggs in
03:13tough capsules that look like mermaids' purses. There are live-bearing sharks. The embryos develop inside
03:19the mother, receiving nourishment through a structure similar to a placenta. And there are
03:24ovoviviparous sharks, where the eggs hatch right inside the mother's body, and fully formed young sharks are
03:31born. In certain species, embryos begin consuming their siblings in the womb, essentially natural selection
03:37before birth. Sharks have unique breathing features. Unlike most fish, which actively pump water through
03:43their gills, many sharks are forced to swim constantly so that water passes through their
03:49gill slits. Stopping for such species means suffocation. But their gills work with fantastic efficiency.
03:55They extract up to 80% of the oxygen from the water. Some species migrate for thousands of kilometers.
04:02This requires a precise sense of orientation, and sharks really have it. Studies show that they
04:08navigate by the Earth's magnetic field using their electrosensory organs as a navigation system.
04:15It's like an internal compass that works flawlessly even in the ocean, where there are no landmarks.
04:20Biologists conducted an experiment on lemon sharks to see how the animal reacts to electric fields
04:26that mimic the electrical trail of a living organism. They placed electrodes in the water that created a
04:32weak electric field, and then observed how the shark reacted. Does it approach the field area,
04:37and how does it act in the control area without it? And yes, sharks showed sensitivity to very weak
04:43electrical signals. In nature, this lets them sense hidden prey buried in sand by detecting muscle and
04:49nerve impulses. Sharks behave far more complexly than most believe. They're not mindless killers. As shown in
04:56movies, sharks are capable of learning, remembering places and routes, and even responding to visual
05:02signals. Whale sharks, for instance, revisit the same spots annually, as if guided by invisible paths.
05:09Hammerhead sharks have been observed to display elements of social structure. They gather in groups where
05:14there are leadership roles. There is also a well-known phenomenon called tonic immobility, in which sharks
05:20temporarily enter a state of immobility when turned onto their backs. In this state, the animal's muscles
05:26completely relax, and movement stops. This occurs when normal body orientation in space is disrupted. The
05:34vestibular systems and skin receptors send signals to the brain, which are interpreted as an emergency
05:39situation. A protective mechanism activates, causing muscles to shut down and movements to freeze. Outwardly, it appears as
05:47deep sleep or a trance, but the shark remains conscious. Scientists think tonic immobility in sharks
05:53isn't a defense mechanism, but an evolutionary leftover. Hundreds of millions of years ago, ancient
05:59sharks may have used this survival technique, but many species eventually lost it. For a perfect predator,
06:05this is more of a vulnerability than an advantage. Scientists, veterinarians who need to examine the
06:10animal, and divers sometimes use this flaw in the shark's system, but it shouldn't be abused.
06:16Prolonged immobility causes stress and risk for animals, disrupting ventilation, gills, and gas
06:22exchange in many species. And believe me, not everyone can flip a shark. Evolution. Scientists have
06:29described about 540 shark species so far, but this number changes as new species, especially deep sea or
06:36small coastal ones, are discovered each year. Sharks are not the most numerous group, but they are one of the
06:42the oldest. They appeared about 450 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs. This occurred in the
06:49Ordovician period, when sea life was just starting to become more complex. They originated from ancient
06:55cartilaginous fish, which diverged from bony fish as vertebrates were colonizing the ocean. The very first
07:02sharks were much simpler in structure. They had a primitive cartilage skeleton, simple jaws, and did not have
07:09well-defined fins. However, even then, they showed features that made sharks some of the most advanced
07:15predators on the planet. A flexible spine, efficient sensory organs, and a streamlined body perfectly
07:21adapted for hunting. Shark evolution was slow, but highly consistent. Their basic features have
07:27barely changed over hundreds of millions of years, showing their success in natural selection. During the
07:34Devonian period, around 400 million years ago, sharks were already recognizable predators,
07:42with jaws, teeth, dorsal fins, and fast tails. Meanwhile, their sensory system was developing.
07:49Ampouli of Lorenzini are unique electroreceptors in all sharks and rays. They are tiny glandular canals
07:56located in the skin, mainly on the snout and around the mouth. Each canal ends in a sensitive sac
08:02filled with a gel-like substance and connected to a nerve. These ampouli allow sharks to sense the
08:08faintest electric fields produced by the muscles and organs of living creatures. For example, when a
08:14fish moves or even just breathes, its body emits microvolt impulses, and a shark can detect them from
08:20several meters away, even if the prey is hidden in the sand or completely motionless. The ampouli of Lorenzini
08:27helps sharks navigate by sensing Earth's electric fields, allowing them to migrate long distances
08:34without losing direction. In other words, it's a kind of biological radar, one of the most sensitive
08:41sensory organs in the animal world. There is also the lateral line, a special sensory organ found in
08:47most fish, including sharks. It has tiny pores and canals running along the body's sides from head to tail.
08:54The canals contain sensitive mechanoreceptor cells that detect water vibrations and movements.
09:01The lateral line lets sharks sense even tiny vibrations and waves from animals or water movement.
09:07For example, when a fish swims nearby, it creates small pressure changes the lateral line can detect.
09:14These organs are a major evolutionary advantage, letting sharks detect prey in total darkness and murky
09:20water. During the Carboniferous and Permian periods, sharks diversified, with some adapting to the
09:28seafloor and others to the open ocean. At that time, primitive forms like cladocelash emerged,
09:34featuring a short snout, small teeth, and no scales. They were fast hunters, but their jaws couldn't extend
09:41like modern sharks. In the Permian period, sharks developed larger bodies and stronger teeth,
09:46becoming forerunners of modern families. Their cartilaginous skeleton made them lighter and
09:52more flexible than bony fish, letting them turn sharply and save energy while swimming.
09:57The Permian-Triassic mass extinction wiped out many marine species, but sharks survived and quickly
10:03filled the empty ecological niches. An important evolutionary shift happened then. Their bodies
10:09streamlined and fins specialized. Pectoral fins stabilized. Dorsal fins provided stability,
10:16and the tail became asymmetrical. The longer upper lobe gave a strong upward and forward thrust.
10:24The hetero-circle tail enabled sharks to become excellent swimmers. The jaws also changed. They
10:30became mobile and could extend forward, capturing and holding onto slippery prey. The evolution of teeth
10:36was especially active. Instead of permanent teeth like many vertebrates, sharks developed a mechanism
10:41of continuous replacement. Several rows of teeth grow and move forward, replacing those that have
10:47fallen out. This allowed sharks to always have sharp cutting tools, which greatly increased their
10:52chances of survival. One of the surviving species was Helicoprion. Its main feature was a spiral of teeth
10:58like a circular saw. Scientists debated for a long time about exactly where this spiral was located.
11:05In the mouth, on the jaw, or deeper in the throat. Modern reconstructions show that the tooth saw was
11:11located on the lower jaw and helped Helicoprion pull prey into its mouth like a meat grinder. The fish
11:18could reach up to 7 meters in length and weigh up to 450 kilograms. It ate soft-bodied animals like
11:24fish
11:25and mollusks. In the Mesozoic era, about 200 to 100 million years ago, sharks reached a high degree of
11:32diversity. Groups appeared that gave rise to modern families. Some species adapted to a slow,
11:38bottom-dwelling lifestyle, while others adapted to active pelagic hunting. Large forms emerged then,
11:44including ancestors of giant sharks, like Megalodon. Megalodon likely grew over 15 meters long and
11:51dominated marine ecosystems. Its massive 18-centimeter teeth reveal how advanced the shark's jaw
11:59evolution was. As the oceans cooled and the food base changed, large species vanished,
12:05while smaller, adaptable ones survived. Sharks' sensory systems evolved. With their sense of
12:11smell becoming so refined, they can detect even a trace of blood at a concentration of one drop per
12:17million parts of water. The ampouli of Lorenzini evolved further, enabling sharks to detect the electric
12:23fields of living organisms, even the heartbeat of a fish buried in the sand. The eyes also adapted to
12:29different lighting conditions. Deep-sea species developed huge pupils and reflective layers in
12:34their retinas, just like cats. Some species evolved bioluminescent organs that aid camouflage and
12:40communication in darkness. Modern sharks represent the pinnacle of long evolutionary adaptation. Their
12:47skeleton remains cartilaginous, which makes their bodies light, but still strong. Scales made of
12:52dentine placoids act as armor and reduce water resistance. Even a shark's swimming is efficient.
12:59The wave-like movement of its body minimizes turbulence, and its muscles work almost continuously,
13:05thanks to the special structure of its myomeres. Their reproductive strategies evolved over millions
13:10of years of selection. From ovoviviparity to viviparity with a placenta-like connection,
13:15this helped their offspring survive even in unstable ocean conditions. Evolution, natural selection,
13:21adaptation to various niches, and changes in sensory organs and feeding apparatus have made sharks
13:28among the most resilient organisms on Earth. While many groups faced mass extinction, sharks survived
13:35by adapting their shape, behavior, or hunting strategy. And that's why today, almost half a billion years
13:42later, they still remain some of the most perfect predators created by nature. Shark species. All sharks
13:49belong to the class of cartilaginous fish, and are divided into eight main orders. Let's look for
13:55the most interesting species, starting with the lamniforms. These are the elite sharks, fast, strong,
14:02and built for perfect attacks. The main star is the white shark. It's called the great white. No surprise!
14:08It grows up to six meters long, reaches 40 km h, and sees better than a cat. Its relative is
14:15the mako shark,
14:16shark, an ocean sprinter capable of leaping out of the water up to six meters high. But the sand tiger
14:21shark seems clumsy. It swims slowly, but makes up for it with cunning. Before attacking, it swallows air
14:29to hover motionless in the water. Among the lamniforms, there is also the mysterious goblin shark,
14:35a deep-sea nightmare with a protruding catapult-like jaw that shoots forward in a fraction of a second.
14:40Next are Requiem sharks, the largest family with over 270 species, from the majestic tiger sharks
14:48to the bold bull sharks, which are even capable of swimming in fresh water. The tiger shark is named
14:53for its stripes, but its behavior is even more fascinating. It's an underwater scavenger, consuming
14:58anything it finds, from turtles to license plates. Both have been found in its stomach. The bull shark is
15:04known for its ferocity and record for the longest river swim, having been caught 3,000 km from the sea.
15:11Reef sharks are a separate cast. They are as graceful as cats, and patrol the corals with predatory
15:18elegance. The blue shark is also included here, streamlined as if made of steel, traveling thousands
15:24of kilometers to follow schools of tuna. If lamniform and Requiem sharks are ocean hunters,
15:30carpet sharks are masters of camouflage and calm. Their bodies display oriental carpet-like patterns,
15:37and their behavior is pure cunning. The whale shark is the most famous, growing up to 18 meters long
15:43and known for its peaceful nature. It filters plankton with a mouth wider than a person is tall.
15:49Other carpet sharks, such as the sawtail or wabagong, rest on the bottom, blend in with the sand,
15:55and wait for prey to approach. When this happens, there's a flash, a strike, and then calm again.
16:01And now, the deep sea shadows of the squaliforms order. Here, sharks experience time differently.
16:07The Greenland shark, for instance, can live over 400 years. It is the oldest known vertebrate.
16:13It grows about a centimeter per year, and its meat is poisonous to humans unless treated. Other spiny
16:20dogfish have back spines and glowing organs. Bioluminescence lets them blend into shimmering
16:26water, hiding from predators. Next comes the order Hexanchiforms. These are living fossils.
16:33Modern sharks have five gill slits, but these have six or seven, like their pre-dinosaur ancestors.
16:39They are slow, massive, and look more like relic monsters. The six-gill shark is the most well-known,
16:45living at depths up to two kilometers. Its powerful body and large eyes seem to say,
16:52I've seen it all. Sometimes these sharks come closer to the surface at night, like ghosts from
16:57the Mesozoic era. There are also some very unusual representatives. The order Hexanchiforms, they have
17:03different types of teeth. The front ones are sharp for grabbing. The back ones are flat for crushing
17:08shells. These are true gourmets, specializing in mollusks and crabs. The order's symbol is the horned shark,
17:15with two horns above its eyes. It's harmless, nocturnal, and prefers living in caves, like a
17:21homebody. Though small, it resembles a cartoon character weary of underwater life. Sharks from
17:28the saw-shark order are probably the most bizarre creation of shark evolution. Their snout is turned
17:33into a long saw covered with teeth. This saw is not just for decoration. With its help, the shark slices
17:41through the water to detect prey by electrical impulses, and then delivers lightning-fast strikes.
17:46They are small, up to one and a half meters, but very precise in their movements. And finally,
17:52the order Squatiniforms. They are flat, like rays, and live as ambush predators. Their bodies are adapted
17:58for burrowing into the sand, leaving only their eyes and mouth exposed. When a fish swims by, the angel
18:05shark shoots forward with a speed that would make a cat jealous. Their fins are spread out, their snout
18:11is wide, and their behavior is a mix between a yogi and a shadowy killer. Sailors in ancient times
18:16called them sea angels due to their unique shape. Now, let's get back to sharks. Shark intelligence.
18:23In the public mind, a shark is a killing machine, cold and thoughtless. But science is increasingly
18:29proving the opposite. Sharks are not just... They react to stimuli, analyze, remember, make decisions,
18:37and even display curiosity. Their behavior can't be reduced to mere instinct. It's much more complex
18:42than it seems. To understand this, you need to look inside their brain, surprisingly developed. Though
18:48unlike a mammal's brain, a shark's brain is actually quite small in size. On average, it makes up about
18:560.008 percent of their body mass, which is less than in humans. But size isn't all that matters.
19:02This brain structure tells a different story. Sharks have a well-developed frontal lobe for
19:07learning and processing information, which is uncommon in fish. In many species, it also controls
19:13spatial memory and orientation. For example, sharks remember reef locations, migration routes, and prey
19:21spots. Some return to the same places years later, as if they remember an underwater map. This occurs in
19:28horn sharks off California, which return to the same caves to breed year after year, even after long
19:35gaps. Sharks? Other sharks. Experiments in aquariums show that sharks are capable of learning from
19:42experience. In one series of observations, sharks were offered to press their noses on a panel to get
19:47food. After a few attempts, they understood the principle and performed the task without mistakes.
19:52When the panel changed color, the shark adapted, showing it could link the stimulus to the result
19:58and change its behavior. In another study with nurse sharks, scientists noted that the fish could
20:04distinguish shapes and even colors. They could pick the correct object when it was linked to a reward.
20:10This is more than a conditioned reflex. It's the start of conscious choice. Some species show
20:15remarkable social behavior. Hammerhead sharks, for instance, usually live alone but form large groups
20:22at certain times. It used to be thought that this was just coincidence or migration. But now there is
20:27evidence that they form hierarchical structures. Young ones stay on the edges, while adults gather
20:33safely at the center. Sharks show notable intelligence when hunting, as seen when a great white shark attacks
20:39a seal. It's not a mindless strike. It first circles from afar, gauges current speed and light direction,
20:46then selects its attack angle, usually from below or the side, where prey's silhouette is clearer against
20:52the surface. Sensor studies show that before striking, a shark briefly increases its heartbeat,
20:57as if preparing its muscles for peak performance. This coordinated response involves complex neural
21:03activity. Shark and human interactions are also fascinating. When someone is in the water,
21:11sharks usually circle and investigate before attacking. It examines what's ahead, a competitor,
21:17prey, or threat, in what's known as a test contact by scientists. Sharks often touch people with their
21:23noses. There are sensors there that read information about the body's electrical signals,
21:28and only in very rare cases does an attack occur. Sharks have sometimes acted cautiously or shown
21:35interest around people. Divers who work with large predators like tiger or great white sharks
21:40say that they are able to distinguish people by their behavior. For example, if a person panics and
21:46makes sudden movements, the shark becomes alert. If the person moves calmly and without threat,
21:52the shark comes closer but does not attack. In nature, this makes sense. Calmness signals no danger
21:58or prey. A South African researcher began observing a particular tiger shark, naming her Emma. She
22:04regularly returned to the research area and allowed people to get so close that a person could put their
22:10hand on her back. Cases of recognizing people happened repeatedly. Giant whale sharks often come to the
22:16same divers in the Philippines and Mexico. Researchers believe that these sharks remember the shape of the
22:22body and a person's movements, associating them with safety. Sharks intelligence is evident in their
22:28ability to navigate the ocean as accurately as birds or dolphins. At first, sharks may appear to drift with
22:36currents, but recent research shows this is entirely incorrect. When biologists began equipping sharks with
22:44satellite transmitters, it became clear that many species make regular migrations along strictly repeated routes.
22:50For example, blue sharks and oceanic white tips can cross the Atlantic Ocean,
22:55returning to the same place after months or even years. Studies show this is no coincidence. The
23:01animal doesn't just follow sense, but uses an internal map of space, a kind of biological global
23:07positioning system. A shark's brain isn't structured like a mammal's, but it has parts that function like
23:13the hippocampus, which handles memory and spatial orientation in humans. These areas are especially
23:18developed in shark species that make long migrations, for example, in Mako or blue sharks. This gave
23:24researchers reason to believe that they have neural maps where information about directions, magnetic fields,
23:30and root features is stored. Experiments confirmed this hypothesis. Scientists put young sharks in special
23:37tanks with altered magnetic fields and watched how they change direction. When the field simulated the
23:44geomagnetic profile of a distant area, the sharks swam in a direction corresponding to returning home.
23:51This shows the ability to sense Earth's magnetic field for navigation, like sea turtles. However,
23:58magnetic reception alone isn't enough for precise return. Reef sharks can remember details of their
24:04surroundings, such as rocky grottos, underwater ridges, and water conditions. According to the data,
24:12they store all this in their spatial memory. Horned sharks were tested in an artificial maze with
24:18multiple turns. After several tries, the sharks immediately chose the correct path, and within
24:23weeks made no mistakes. Even after changing the light and scent cues, they still found the exit, relying on
24:30their internal map. Moreover, sharks have been found to possess sensory neurons capable of detecting subtle
24:36gradients of pressure, currents, and temperature. This gives them a sense of a dynamic environment,
24:41not just coordinates, but a complete picture of the ocean, where every detail helps them understand
24:46where they are. A shark perceives the ocean as a whole system, not just separate points. The blue
24:53shark exemplifies this. Researchers at the University of Rhode Island used satellite tags to track its 9,000
25:00kilometer ocean journey, finding it returns to the same feeding spot with accuracy within a few dozen
25:06kilometers. Moreover, when the water temperature changed, the shark adjusted its route. It moved
25:12along the optimal thermocline, which is the layer of comfortable temperature. This means that it combines
25:17root memory, sensory feedback, and response to environmental conditions. In other words, it uses a real
25:23spatial thinking algorithm. Evidence suggests sharks can learn roots from one another. Young individuals follow
25:30adults in their early years and seem to remember the root. Otherwise, their migration stability can't be
25:36explained. This is a collective form of information transfer, similar to cultural behavior in whales or
25:42birds. Sharks' behavior around people reveals much about their cognitive abilities. Divers who work with
25:48them regularly claim that sharks are able to recognize a person's mood. It may sound poetic, but there's a
25:55logical reason. A shark picks up on heart rate and the electrical activity of muscles. If a person is calm,
26:01the signals are steady. If they're scared, the signals are chaotic. For a shark, this is as clear as facial
26:07expressions are for us. Sometimes the interaction between people and sharks turns into real cooperation.
26:13On Pacific islands, people say sharks follow boats, not to attack, but to eat discarded fish. Some
26:20sharks follow boats for weeks. Even shark attacks, if you look at them closely, often indicate not
26:26aggression, but a mistake in judgment. Great white sharks attack because surfers' silhouettes from above
26:31look like seals. After the first bite, it usually lets go, realizing the victim isn't right. Today, sharks are
26:39increasingly studied in cognitive ethology, the science of animal thinking. Scientists call them
26:45the minds of the ocean, not in human-like intelligence, but in adaptability and decision-making.
26:51Their brain, though unlike a human's, can compute, analyze, and do basic planning. In some countries,
26:59people and sharks are learning to coexist. Neutral contact programs are underway in Hawaii and the Bahamas.
27:06Divers enter the water near sharks without feeding or scaring them, just staying close. Sharks slowly
27:12start seeing humans as part of their world. They swim closer, observe, and sometimes pass by,
27:19making eye contact that feels meaningful. Maybe it's curiosity or just noticing something new,
27:25but it's not indifference or fear anymore. But on the other hand, shark hunting. Just about a hundred years
27:32ago, a person who could kill a shark was considered a hero. Today, however, attitudes toward this activity
27:38are rapidly changing, and of course, not without reason. In the past, shark hunting was more of a
27:45competition, or simply a matter of survival. Fishermen killed sharks that got caught in their nets,
27:51or posed a threat to their catch, and in coastal villages, shark meat and fat were used for food and
27:56lighting. In Hawaii and the Philippines, shark teeth were used for tools and jewelry,
28:02symbolizing strength. But everything changed in the 20th century. Industrial fishing transformed sharks
28:07from feared predators into valuable commodities. Now, economic gain is the main reason for hunting
28:14sharks. The fins, not the meat, ended up being the most profitable product. Finning is the cruel practice
28:20where the fins are cut off a live shark, and the animal is thrown back into the sea. Without their
28:26fins, sharks
28:27can't swim effectively. They sink to the bottom of the ocean, die from suffocation, or become prey for other
28:34fish. Usually, death comes to these sea predators within just a few hours. Finning is seen as cruel, causing
28:42mass shark deaths and harming the ecosystem. These fins are used to make the famous shark fin soup, a prestigious
28:49and
28:50expensive dish, especially in China and Singapore. A kilogram of dried fins costs $$400.1000, while soup
28:58servings cost $100.300 in Hong Kong or Beijing restaurants. Despite growing public pressure, demand
29:04still exists. Shark meat is cheaper, but it is also actively traded. In Japan, Indonesia, Peru, and especially
29:12Iceland or Norway, it is eaten under various names. For example, Iceland is known for hakarl,
29:18a fermented delicacy made from Greenland shark. The meat is soaked and dried to remove the toxic
29:24organic compound trimethylamine, which makes the meat poisonous when fresh. In Portugal, there are
29:30dishes made from the shark called queso. That's what they call the small sharks that are eaten.
29:35Sometimes you can find shark soup in restaurants. There are dishes with baked or boiled shark,
29:41but they are very rare. However, most shark meat in the world is not sold under its real name.
29:46It is often passed off as swordfish, cod, or even tuna. Every year, 7100 million sharks are killed
29:54globally, while over a third of known species face extinction. Among the most affected are the giant
30:00shark, the oceanic white tip shark, the hammerhead shark, as well as various species of mako sharks.
30:07These species are especially at risk due to slow growth, late maturity, and few offspring. For example,
30:14female mako sharks can be pregnant for up to 18 months and give birth to just 4 to 12 pups.
30:20Another huge problem with the structure is that many sharks die not because of targeted hunting,
30:25but as bycatch. Hundreds of thousands of sharks get tangled in nets set for tuna, marlin, or cod,
30:31and are simply thrown overboard. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization,
30:36the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, and World Wildlife Fund,
30:40the World Wildlife Fund, this factor has been the main reason for the decline of the oceanic white
30:45tip shark population by more than 90% over the past 60 years. Given this, several countries have
30:52begun imposing strict restrictions. In 2013, the European Union completely banned the practice of
30:58finning. Now all sharks must be landed in ports with their fins intact. The United States, Canada,
31:04Australia, New Zealand, and several Caribbean countries have adopted similar measures. Since 2012,
31:11China has been gradually reducing the consumption of shark fin soup, banning it at official banquets.
31:16Hong Kong, once a hub for the shark fin trade, now labels shark products publicly and requires their
31:22origin to be stated. However, bans do not always work. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Yemen, large illegal
31:29markets still operate, trading in dried fins and meat. On some African coasts, like Somalia and Mozambique,
31:36shark fins are used as currency to pay for fuel or fishing gear. And even in the Maldives, where hunting
31:42has been banned since 2010, poachers still use night traps. However, attitudes towards sharks are shifting
31:49as scientists and divers highlight their vital role in marine ecosystems. They control other species'
31:56populations, stopping weak and sick individuals from spreading disease. Removing sharks from the food
32:02chain has caused disasters, like a surge in rays in the Atlantic that wiped out whole scallop and rare
32:09crab populations. In many countries, sharks are now protected and attract tourists instead of being
32:16hunted. Shark fishing is entirely banned in reserves in the Bahamas, Fiji, and the Maldives. What if a shark
32:22attacks? Don't think of sharks as ocean pacifists. A predator is still a predator, even if it's not
32:29interested in you right now. And people's fear of sharks didn't just appear out of nowhere. The modern
32:34human fear of sharks, which became ingrained through culture, originated in 1916. That summer,
32:41five people were attacked off the coast of New Jersey. Four of them died, and one survived. These
32:47incidents inspired Robert Bloom to create images that influenced American horror films from the 1910s
32:54onward. For the modern layperson, it is precisely these kinds of films that shape the fear of killers
33:00in the ocean. Another high-profile case involves the wreck of the cruiser Indianapolis at the end of
33:06World War II. The massive cruiser, built in 1931, was as long as two football fields. During World War II,
33:13it established itself as one of the most formidable United States warships, which, in a remarkable way,
33:20managed to dodge Japanese attacks. It's no surprise that it was entrusted with the mission.
33:27In summer 1945, the Indianapolis carried a top-secret cargo. Captain Charles Butler McVeigh didn't know
33:34what the cargo was. He only learned about the destination while at sea. They were heading to Tinian
33:40Island to deliver the core for the atomic bomb Little Boy, which the Americans dropped on Hiroshima
33:46on August 6, when the cargo was delivered. Captain McVeigh breathed a sigh of relief. But he didn't
33:52know yet that the most terrifying chapter in his life and the life of his ship was still ahead,
33:58one that some might rightfully consider a curse. Indianapolis received orders to head to Guam,
34:04and then to the Philippine island of Leyte to sail. He had to follow a strictly defined route to avoid
34:11running into enemy submarines. But Captain McVeigh decided to ignore this point, hoping for luck.
34:17Additionally, there was no information on Japanese submarine activity in this area. There may not have
34:23been any data, but, as it turned out, there was a submarine. On July 29, 1945, at around 11 o
34:31'clock,
34:31post-meridium, the Japanese submarine I-58 attacked the cruiser from a distance of four miles. One minute
34:38and ten seconds later, a powerful explosion thundered. The torpedo destroyed the engine
34:44room of the Indianapolis, killing the crew members who were there. They drew the lucky ticket. But what
34:49followed was something you'd never wish on anyone. From the nature of the damage, it was clear that the
34:56cruiser had only a few minutes left to stay afloat. The radio transmitter was out of order,
35:01and the crew was unable to send a distress signal myself. It was later discovered that the radio
35:06operator of Indianapolis still managed to send and save our soul's signal over the air. At least three
35:12American stations received it, but they either ignored it or took it for Japanese disinformation.
35:17Captain McVeigh gave the order to abandon ship. He tried to encourage the crew, promising them that
35:23they would be found soon since they were in an area where ships constantly passed by.
35:28Exactly. Twelve minutes after the collision with the torpedo, the Indianapolis, shuddering under the
35:34furious rush of water pouring into the huge breach, sank to the bottom. And along with her,
35:39about 300 out of 1,196 crew members. For three days, until help arrived, a terrible drama unfolded in
35:48the middle of the ocean. The surviving sailors were scattered across an area of more than 250 square
35:54kilometers. Only some of them managed to put on life jackets. Some were lucky enough to find rafts in
36:00the water and were able to climb onto them. During the night, many of the seriously wounded died. Some of
36:06the
36:06sailors were delirious after swallowing spilled fuel from the surface of the water. The New Day greeted
36:11the crew with a scorching sun that pushed their tired bodies to total exhaustion. By the second day,
36:18dozens of hungry sharks surrounded the site of the wreck. At first, their victims were the dead crew members,
36:25whom they tore apart. The blood mixed with seawater attracted more and more predators.
36:31The survivors huddled together, and a ring of fins closed in around them. Of 80 people, only 17 survived
36:40until morning. And despite all this, the surviving veterans recall that the sharks were not the most
36:46terrifying ordeal they had to face in the waters of the Philippine Sea. The sailors died from dehydration,
36:53hypothermia, and insanity. I saw several people die from shark attacks, recalls 89-year-old Dick Tellen.
37:02He also noted that two or three times more people died from drinking seawater. After three days,
37:09people wearing life jackets began to sink. The jackets were made from kapok fibers and could only
37:15provide buoyancy for 48 hours. Because no one got the distress signal from the sinking Indianapolis,
37:22no one thought to search for the cruiser. On August 2, an American pilot patrolling the area
37:29accidentally discovered the half-dead sailors. After the pilots reported it, a seaplane and American
37:36military ships were sent to the area. A documentary film, Ocean of Fear, The Most Terrifying Shark Attack,
37:42and a feature film, Cruiser, starring Nicolas Cage, were made based on this tragedy. They managed to pull
37:49only 321 people out of the water alive, five of whom died on board the rescue ships. 883 sailors died
37:59from dehydration, wounds, and heat stroke. Some committed suicide, some went insane, and others
38:04were eaten by sharks. Survival stories can be as remarkable as murder nightmares. Rodney Fox is an
38:12Australian who, in 1963, while spearfishing, ended up in the jaws of a great white shark. His story is
38:19about more than pain. It's also about a miraculous rescue. Fox survived with severe injuries and then
38:25dedicated his life to studying and protecting sharks, helping science understand the behavior of
38:30great whites and organizing expeditions. There's also the story of Bethany Hamilton.
38:35In 2003, a 13-year-old surfer in Hawaii, she was attacked by a tiger shark and lost her left
38:42arm.
38:42She suffered a severe injury, endured a lengthy recovery, and made an unexpected return to
38:47professional sports. Just a month later, Bethany was back on her board and later became a professional
38:53surfer, a public figure, and a video creator. Television broadcasts and the film Soul Surfer provide a
39:00detailed account of both the moment of the attack and the path to recovery. And this is the case with
39:05Mick Fanning in 2015, during the final of the professional J-Bay Open tournament in South Africa.
39:11The camera was broadcasting live when a large shark appeared next to the surfer, lunged, flipped the
39:17board, and then attacked. During the video, Fanning pushed the shark away, rescuers quickly arrived,
39:23and the surfer survived without serious injuries. The footage shocked everyone, as the attack was
39:28captured live by a television camera. Millions of people saw what happens during such incidents,
39:33and how quickly the rescue services respond. Journalists and experts then closely analyzed
39:38the footage. The shark probably mistook the silhouette for a seal. Fanning's own reaction,
39:44kicking and trying to stay in control, was recognized as a smart survival tactic. There are less famous,
39:50but equally terrifying cases. A series of attacks happened near Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
39:55Over the past few decades, there has been an increase in attacks on surfers and swimmers there,
40:00which led to local bans on swimming and heated discussions in scientific circles. Why are
40:05encounters rising in this region? Studies link this to changes in fish migration routes, tourism,
40:12changes in coastal infrastructure, and a decrease in the shark's usual prey, which alters their behavior
40:18and forces them to come closer to shore in search of food. Many materials and investigations exist on
40:23these incidents. They show that there is no single cause, and that the conflict between humans and
40:29sharks often intensifies precisely because of changes in the ecosystem. Well, what can I say?
40:35Commercial fishing practices, dumping of waste, and feeding fish from boats change shark behavior,
40:41making them more cautious and more likely to come into contact with humans. Most scary stories are an
40:46inevitable companion to the long history of the relationship between people in the ocean. What happens when we
40:51enter a place with different rules? Studies and reports, including investigations of high-profile
40:57attacks, stress that incidents can be reduced through public education, activity monitoring during
41:04certain times, and protecting natural fish populations. What should you do if you encounter a
41:10shark in shallow water while vacationing in Egypt? You can watch how a professional diver behaves.
41:16The first thing he does, of course, is remain absolutely calm. Sudden movements, splashing,
41:23or hurried swimming can trigger sharks. Panicking and waving arms or legs signals to a shark that wounded prey
41:31is close. That's why rule number one is not to panic, not to hit the water, and not to try
41:36to run away
41:37quickly. Divers learn to slow down as much as possible. They try not to turn their backs to the shark,
41:43and always keep it in sight. Many shark species, especially great white, tiger, and bull sharks,
41:49usually attack from the blind spot. When the shark knows it's been spotted, it's less likely to attack,
41:55since surprise is its main advantage. That's why professionals always keep track of where they're
42:00looking. Sharks turn their bodies to stay facing her, and if there are several sharks, they try to
42:05position themselves near a reef or other cover to prevent attacks from behind. Another important point is
42:11body position. Experienced swimmers know standing upright makes a person look less like prey,
42:18while lying horizontally resembles a seal or fish. When you encounter a shark, stay vertical,
42:24keep your arms and legs together, and avoid creating silhouettes that attract attention.
42:29Divers also watch the shark's body language. When the animal shifts from calm to tense,
42:35it's obvious. Its movements quicken, pectoral fins lower, back arches, and it moves closer to its prey.
42:44This is a signal that it sees the object as a threat or potential prey. At that moment,
42:49the most important thing is not to provoke it. Experienced divers sometimes gently push the shark
42:54away if it gets too close. Not with a blow, but with a firm touch to the nose or the
42:59side of its snout.
43:00The ampoule of Lorenzini sensitive electroreceptors are located here. This is unpleasant for the shark
43:06and makes it retreat, but it doesn't cause panic. Some divers use special protective equipment,
43:12metal suits made of chain mail fabric, and devices that create weak electric fields. The electric
43:19repellent causes the shark to feel sensory overload. It's not pain, but irritation, and it leaves. But
43:26professionals emphasize that no technology can replace proper behavior. Most successful encounters
43:32with sharks ended well precisely because of this remedy. People behaved calmly and respectfully.
43:38Sharks typically approach out of curiosity to study something new. At these moments,
43:43divers show confidence, stand tall, make eye contact, and don't retreat. If a shark sees a human as equally
43:50strong, it usually backs off. Many experienced instructors say that the most dangerous thing
43:56is to show fear because chaotic movement or trying to run away often becomes the final mistake. If a
44:02shark approaches directly, divers choose a strategy of contact without aggression. This means controlling
44:08the distance, keeping your hands ready, but not waving them. If the animal gets too close, carefully place
44:14an object like a camera, fin, or flashlight between you and the shark. Sharks usually respect personal
44:20space and don't push through if there's a visual barrier in front of them. There are also extreme
44:25situations when a shark is really persistent and is preparing to attack. Then the rule changes. If
44:30contact is unavoidable, act decisively. Divers know sharks are very sensitive at the snout tip, eyes, and gill
44:39slits. These aren't weak spots in the Hollywood sense, but areas where a touch or a blow can disorient
44:45the animal. A firm touch to the nose or gill area usually makes the shark back off. The main thing
44:52is
44:53not to strike chaotically and not to give the impression of helplessness. But of course, an ordinary
44:58untrained person can't hit the pressure points. Professionals also know the time and place where the risk
45:03is higher. Early morning, sunset, murky water, areas near river mouths or fishing spots. That's where
45:10more smells, noise, and prey make shark behavior less predictable. Selecting the right time and place
45:16to dive helps avoid unnecessary encounters. If you encounter a shark showing interest, remember, panic
45:23causes more harm than the shark itself. Those who stay calm, watch the movements, and control their breathing
45:29have a great chance of getting out of the situation without a scratch. The most interesting thing is
45:34that most professional divers who have been near sharks dozens and dozens of times don't see them
45:40as a threat. They say they feel mutual respect. The animal sees the person as part of the environment,
45:46not prey. That's why the main rule is simple. Don't try to defeat the shark. Try to be part of
45:52its world.
45:52And on that note, we'll wrap up. Over millions of years, sharks have become perfect survival machines,
45:58but not soulless ones. Their actions have logic, caution, and something resembling respect for the
46:04life around them. They can kill, but usually avoid attacking. Studying them helps us better understand
46:12nature. And perhaps the main lesson is that respect for the shark is respect for the ocean,
46:17and respect for the ocean is respect for life on earth.
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