Shark encounters have increased significantly in the ocean off Southern California. And last week, a swimmer was attacked. Worldwide, there were 109 unprovoked shark attacks in 2015, which included 9 fatalities. Sharks sometimes attack defensively, when a human has strayed into their waters, or accidentally, when they mistake a human for their preferred meal. In both cases, the shark almost always leaves after just one bite. (Download full-size poster)

HOW SHARKS ATTACK

(1) HIT-AND-RUN: These occur in shallow waters where sharks mistake humans for their normal food. The shark makes one grab, lets go and immediately leaves. Legs or feet are often bitten.

(2) BUMP AND BITE: This happens when the shark circles and actually bumps the victim with its head or body before biting. The shark may attack repeatedly.

(3) SNEAK ATTACK: Takes place in deeper waters. The victim doesn’t see the shark before the attack. The result can be deadly.

SHARK JAWS

(1) The shark’s jaw has three parts and is positioned just below the skull. (2) When the shark opens its mouth, the upper jaw remains close to the skull. (3) When the jaw is fully opened, the upper jaw dislocates from the skull, thereby extending the bite radius.

CALIFORNIA’S SHARKS

There are more than 450 species of sharks in the world. About 40 different species live off the California coast. Here are the more common ones.

SHARK ATTACKS BY THE NUMBERS

There were 116 shark attacks in California from 1926 through 2014, with 10 fatalities. The last fatality was in 2012.

Sources: Shark Research Committee; NOAA; Universal Pictures; Mauricio Hoyos Padilla; National Geographic; Florida Museum of Natural History; Shark Research Committee, Discovery, Ocean Institute of Dana Point Harbor