On the sharks post you reblogged, couldn’t the argument be that any/most wild animals can be dangerous? I mean, no one’s going to stop saying they’re cute but deer can get very violent when provoked? I mean, dolphins can cause harm, as can seals and whales, but people aren’t told these animals are dangerous. Sharks have such a bad rep, it feels unfair to call them more dangerous than the average wild animal being ‘bothered’ by humans.

That wasn’t my point. Wild animals, all wild animals, can be dangerous.

I was suggesting words to use other than “harmless” and “gentle”. Those are not good words to use for sharks, mostly because they’re inaccurate. You should not go out into the ocean and specifically look for sharks to interact with. Nor should you look for dolphins, seals, whales, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, deer, elk, eagles, alligators, snapping turtles, or venomous snakes to interact with. 

Sharks are not vicious monsters, but they have the potential to be dangerous. If someone is stupid around a snapping turtle and get bitten, they could, at worst, lose a finger or a chunk of flesh. If someone is stupid around a large shark, they could, at worst, lose a limb or their life. 

Large, predatory sharks are dangerous. They are extremely unlikely to attack you, but they are dangerous. Think of them like mountain lions; you don’t approach them, and if you see one, you watch it very carefully. They’re less dangerous than bull moose or rhinos, less likely to try to eat you than some bears, but their potential for massive damage makes them dangerous. 

This trend of referring to sharks as “ocean puppies” or likewise needs to stop. They are not harmless. I’m not saying don’t call them cute, cuteness is subjective. I’m saying don’t call them harmless, don’t call them gentle or friendly or sweet. They aren’t. Don’t treat them like they’re 100% safe to interact with. Don’t act like the average person can go and have a magic adventure swimming with sharks. 

Don’t treat any large animals like that, but especially not carnivores whose only reason for not eating us is that we don’t taste very good to them. Admire sharks all you want, but do it from a distance, and make sure everyone knows to do the same.

Also, most shark attacks on humans are mistaken identity or test bites. This does not, however, mean that those attacks aren’t dangerous. People are killed by sharks, or maimed beyond repair. Practice reasonable behavior when in areas with sharks- don’t swim at night, don’t bleed into the water, and try not to look like a seal. 

We need to find the balance between “it’s a monster, kill them all” and “it’s a puppeh I want to hug it”. Something like “it’s beautiful and awe-inspiring, I’ll admire it from a distance”.