Humans are soft, slightly haired mammals with negligible physical defenses. No claws, no mandibles, rows of razor-sharp teeth, thick coats of hair or armor plating. The only true defense we’ve got going for us is our massive brains, most of which we fill with movie quotes, random trivia, and lyrics to bad songs. And yet, we dominate the world as the planet’s most advanced species. Ironic, isn’t it? Well, that is save for a few times when humans push their luck a little too far and venture into territories where we’re so far outside of our element.
[Update] An eagle-eyed reader forwarded us a report published in The Brisbane Times giving further detail on the interaction between two riders aboard a Yamaha FX with what has been confirmed as a “juvenile Great White shark.” The pair were off of the coast of Fraser Island, near Ungowa Creek, when they spotted the shark and steered towards it to get a better look. This was clearly too close for the shark, which turned around and struck at the ski. “So this just happened,” wrote Libby Williams, who had filmed the event from her GoPro. “I literally had to move my leg so it didn’t get mauled!”
According to the report, “Sunshine Coast shark conservationist and diver Tony Isaacson said humpback whales visited areas around Fraser Island from May to about November, where they gave birth to their calves and said the shark in the video was likely a great white shark in the right place at the wrong time.” He was quoted as stating, “We know great white sharks will follow humpback whales on northern migration and will take any opportunistic feed associated with that calving and whale migration. What interests me about this jet ski and this large shark is that it is the right place but the wrong time of the year for that shark to expect any kind of substantial feed.”
“It has made an error of judgment, instead of navigating south, and I would say it would stay there for no more than a day or two,” he continued. “It is perhaps a sub-adult, which would add to the idea that it has made a mistake because it lacks experience.” Mr. Isaacson concluded saying that the shark’s “torpedo shape” and the distinct grey and white coloring indicated it was a “juvenile” great white.
Again, this is an illustration that nature is one to be trifled with, even if you think you’re smarter that a big dumb fish. Nature didn’t equip you with rows of regenerating saw-like teeth and nigh-impenetrable skin. This video was shared by The Chive’s Facebook page (via ViralHog).
