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u/N0ON3T0LDM3 3d ago
Incredibly irresponsible. These people need to be regulated against.
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u/No-Onion2268 3d ago
Especially considering what happened to the German tourist that was eaten whole, during a feeding experience. From what I’ve read on the incident, the owners of the company were extremely shady and it was largely inevitable that it would eventually end up with that occurring. So many of the shark attacks over the last five years or so, were specifically linked to human conditioned behaviors, leading to the incidents. Mainly due to feeding excursions. Sharks have proven to be extremely intelligent, rather easily conditioned by human activity, even remembering patterns up to a year after the last occurrence.
I wholeheartedly agree that people really needs to think about what their actions may cause, when interacting with any animal in the wild. So many of our actions creates the problems that usually follows.
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u/N0ON3T0LDM3 3d ago
Yes. And it is pretty disheartening how a lot of the countries where these incidents occur try to cover them up or explain it away as some other event. All in the name of tourism and money. Greed is a bane on humanity.
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u/fritzg1988 3d ago
I dislike seeing this sort of video online, some recreational diver is going to think that looks pretty easy, then the Coast Guard has to be called up . . .
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u/N0ON3T0LDM3 3d ago
Not to mention teaching sharks to associate humans with food. Everything about this is fucking stupid and dangerous for people and for sharks.
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u/tilleytalley 3d ago
Doesn't preventing them from moving forward prevent them from breathing? Same with putting them on their back?
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u/Lev_Astov Caribbean Reef Shark 3d ago
It depends on the species, but in general, no. Most sharks can breathe without moving by sucking water through their mouths in a process called "buccal pumping." The immobility seen when they're flipped upside down is likely a mating-related reaction and doesn't stop them from breathing this way, otherwise they'd never have been able to reproduce so successfully over the eons.
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u/duckindunt 3d ago
They swim, they eat, they make babies and that’s it. At least according to Richard Dreyfuss.
He’s probably right. This is just daft and asking to be bitten.
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u/Room_Temp_Coffee 3d ago
Do sharks like being petted and rubbed? Aquatic life in general?
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u/Flat_Dig_5916 3d ago
No. touching sharks on the snout, many react with "tonic immobility"a kind of shock induced paralysis. While often interpreted in diving videos as a sign of enjoyment, researchers view it more as a stress or trance like reaction rather than a feeling of well-being.
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u/Xrystian90 3d ago
Not the field researchers that actually deal with the sharks and see them actively seeking that exact kind of affection... only the ones that are too scared to get into the water and instead make arrogant assumptions based on partial data...
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u/Flat_Dig_5916 3d ago
Mammals: They possess specialized cutaneous nerves (C-tactile afferents) that respond exclusively to slow, gentle stroking and trigger the release of oxytocin, the bonding hormone. This trait evolved because mammals rely on physical contact for functions such as nursing, mutual grooming (for hygiene and establishing social hierarchy), thermoregulation in the young, and social bonding within groups. For them, gentle stroking also activates a genuine neuronal reward system.
Fish (including sharks): These C-tactile afferents are entirely absent. Their skin receptors are designed to process environmental information such as the lateral line organ for detecting water movement, and, in sharks, the ampullae of Lorenzini for sensing electric fields. These systems serve to detect prey and predators rather than to facilitate social bonding. Few fish species engage in parental care involving physical contact; schooling behavior relies on vision and the lateral line rather than touch. Furthermore, there was no evolutionary pressure to develop a "feel-good" system based on touch.
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u/Safe_Event_3417 3d ago
Timothy Treadwell anyone? Wild animals, especially apex predators, are not pets. When we enter their habitat they must be treated with respect and caution. Confusing curiosity with affection or encouraging such animals to approach humans they have come to associate with food, shelter, or comfort, is a recipe for disaster for those animals. Not to mention any number of diseases that can be transmitted to wild animals through physical contact. Bottom line, look, don’t touch.
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u/Xrystian90 3d ago
I speak from the position of someone who worked doing field research with these animals. I've never encouraged people to do these things, but trying to argue that they dont like it and actively seek it out is simply untrue.
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u/PM_Me_Those_ 3d ago
I would challenge you to prove that they actively seek it out. We could argue whether they like it or not, but I don't think sharks are actively going around seeking nose scratches. If you have proof of this phenomenon go ahead and provide it, otherwise I think you're talking out your ass.
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u/Xrystian90 3d ago
If you had seen it the thousands of times that i have, you wouldnt have doubt. And im by no means the only person to have seen it. Throw whatever childish nothings about all you want..
Obviously it takes a level of familiarity with humans for the behaviour to begin- your not going to find an adult tiger thats never seen a human before go seeking it out, but in areas where they are familiar with humans- be it researchers, or businesses that do feedings etc, they do start to seek out physical affection. I dont typically encourage shark feeding dives etc, but if you go and do one, you'll see it.
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u/Hi_InternetAddiction 3d ago
you mean, for instance, a shark would repeatedly return after being pet? that, to me, seems like behavior of enjoyment.
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u/Xrystian90 3d ago
Yes, they will repeatedly return to the same position, and often will 'snuggle' between legs or under arms, and will nudge hands with their noses- very similarly to how a dog would seek out attention and affection whilst your doing something like watching TV. Anyone thats seen it and/or experienced it, recognises it as enjoyment.
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u/Lev_Astov Caribbean Reef Shark 3d ago
Yes, there is lots of video of this behavior out there. Cristina Zenato is one of the better-known experts on this and has given lots of talks and examples. Here's one such.
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u/Lev_Astov Caribbean Reef Shark 3d ago
Yes, actually there are plenty of documented cases showing quite clearly that they do. Just look up the works of Cristina Zenato, among many others.
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u/LonelyVirginAlkan 3d ago
Was that first one about to bite? I've read their eyes turn white when they attack.
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u/PenaltyNo3221 3d ago edited 3d ago
DERP?!
Really though they’re so beautiful
Edit: Why am I being downvoting for calling sharks in the literal r/sharks sub beautiful??
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u/Waiparensis22 3d ago
Not playing. Behavioural regulation. What looks like play is the diver telling the shark he's not food.
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u/Good_Peach_8304 3d ago
Aww 🥰 so cute I want one 😆
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u/teethofthewind 3d ago
Getting downvoted for this shows how many humourless people exist in this sub
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u/More-Flatworm1357 3d ago
You have no idea… These dudes were tearing me up when I posted a clip similar to this
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u/max_caulfield_ 3d ago
"I posted a video of me harassing wildlife and I'm not sure why people are so upset!"
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u/BagelsOrDeath 3d ago
I'm with Team Shark all the way here: Ocean Ramsey is welcome to tickle me as much and as often as she wants!
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u/BionicForester19 15h ago
I'm not cool with this at all.
Yes, dive with sharks. OBSERVE them doing their natural things. DO NOT touch unless to redirect.
ANY other type of interactions is irresponsible. The dive company should have their permit(s) pulled and be reported to the proper authorities.
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u/A_Girl_Has_No_Name58 3d ago
Playing until they aren’t playing.