Why do shark attacks increase when the full moon?

At a time when scientists did not agree on the exact reason that drives sharks to carry out their fierce attacks on humans, a new study by researchers at Louisiana State University and the University of Florida in the Americas; It showed that more shark attacks occur during the full moon phases.

According to the study , published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, researchers found that shark attacks are likely to be affected by lunar illumination, according to the strength of their illumination in the different phases of the moon.

On the other hand, the Daily Mail says that sharks are not the only creatures that become more ferocious during the full moon, as terrestrial animals are also affected by moonlight. The newspaper adds that a 2000 study in the United Kingdom, which looked at patients attending the emergency department for animal bites between 1997 and 1999, found a significant increase in attacks during the full moon.

Why do sharks attack humans?

According to the information available so far, there are many hypotheses about the reasons why sharks sometimes attack humans. Among these hypotheses is that some species of sharks that attack humans may get confused and attack humans believing that they are a sea dog or that they are animal prey that they can eat, as happens in the case of water skiers, where the skier appears on the surfboard as a sea dog or Seals are the shark's favorite meal.

Scientists also believe that the shark has sensors that pick up any electrical signals that the muscles generate when moving, and usually the shark that attacks the human bite and flee, while others explain that it is due to genetic reasons.

Behaviors related to the phases of the moon

According to the press release issued by Louisiana State University, data on recorded and observed shark attacks around the world were collected, based on the "International Shark Attack File" on the Florida Museum of Natural History website, which was collected over a period of time. 55 years from 1960 to 2015.

Through this data, the researchers analyzed the relationship between shark attacks and the phases of the moon, by studying geographical factors, types of sharks, and the results of the attack. They found that shark attacks occur more than average during periods of higher lunar illumination, while attacks occur less than average during periods of low light, and this It shows that shark attacks are more intense during the phases of the full moon.

The study also provides strong evidence that geomagnetic activity increases and decreases with respect to the full moon, as sharks sense and respond to electromagnetic stimuli, for example, and it is clear that electromagnetic fields are important for migration behaviors.

According to the "Daily Mail", the study - although it does not provide a clear reason for the relationship between the full moon and increased attacks - indicated that the geomagnetic activity caused by the moon could have an effect on animals.

Accordingly, this means that the full moon can affect the Earth's magnetic field and "lead to migration or reproduction"; Which may bring sharks to areas where they are likely to encounter humans, sharks can also interact with the effect of the moon on the tides, or the brighter moonlight may affect their vision.

It's not just moonlight

As for the extent to which these attacks are limited to the effects of moonlight in its different phases, the university statement says that these attacks are not limited to the night, and therefore it is not about more light at night for sharks to see, as most shark attacks occur in broad daylight. However, the Moon can exert other forces on Earth and its oceans through gravity.

Professor Steve Medway, associate professor and researcher on the project from Louisiana State University, says, "There is a relationship of some marine natural phenomena on the behavior of some animals, such as the tidal phenomenon, and therefore this research adds a new perspective in revealing the causes of shark attacks, and the abundance of data that was based on The study indicates that there is something worth continuing to look into."

On the other hand, according to Professor Medway and colleagues; It is still too early to claim that moon lighting is a causative factor in shark attacks; Since the relationship between the phases of the moon and shark attacks may not be causal.

These findings also suggest that potential triggers for shark attacks need to be studied in a more realistic way, using mathematical methods to test global phenomena and then individual cases, leaving guesswork aside.

Professor Medway adds: "Scientists do not necessarily claim that there are any immediate benefits to managing the risks that arise from these findings. However, the study contributes to a better understanding of shark behavior, which may help with risk management in the future."