FACTS ABOUT SHARKS.

Putaruru Press, Volume XI, Issue 510, 23 February 1933, Page 6

FACTS ABOUT SHARKS.

THEY ARE SHORT-SIGHTED. “A shark is blind,” writes Miss Joan Lowell in her very interesting book, “A Child of the Deep.” “It can only see about four inches in front of its snout. Every shark has two little parasite flsh, pilot fish, that see for it, and in time of trouble the shark swallows its pilot fish for protection. Down in little sockets behind the shark's gills we pulled out two squirming, brightly coloured fish, about three inches long. People had often asked how it is that natives seem to swim unharmed in shark infested waters. They escape from death because they 1 know a shark’s habits. A shark by reason of its near-sightedness, depends upon its pilot fish to spot food for it. The tiny fish can see any animate object in the water and head for It. The bright colour of their bodies shines in front of the shark, who follows where they lead. A shark will not attack an inanimate object, for it cannot notice it. A moving object in the water attracts a shark and the natives, wise to this, let their bodies go limp when a shark circles near them. Then when the shark circles around to attack, the native moves like lightening to dive under the animal and rip its throat with his sharp tortoise shell knife. Now, always remember,” she adds, “if ever you are overboard and near a shark, don’t be a fool and try to fight because that just makes you a moving target for the little pilot fish.” One hears of so many people’s advice that sharks will keep away if you make a big splashing that this excerpt la of special interest.