9781422275078

INTRODUCTION

A hungry tiger shark polishes off another meal off the coast of Australia. Although mainly a fish eater, this is an aggressive species that should not be provoked by divers.

T he mere glimpse of a triangular black fin slicing through the water is enough to arouse fear and panic in most onlookers. Because such a sight conjures up images of huge, gaping jaws and rows of sharp teeth, one’s immediate reaction is to get away as far as possible and at great speed. What is it about sharks that causes this feeling of terror? Are they all killers, intent on hunting their victims — especially human ones—or is there more to the life of a shark than just hunting its prey?

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