Predation is one of the most fundamental and fascinating interactions in nature, and sharks are some of the fiercest predators on Earth.
However, their hunting pattern is difficult to study because it is
rarely observed in the wild. As a result, shark predatory behavior has
remained much of a mystery. Researchers have found that sharks hunt in a
highly focused fashion, just like serial criminals.
In an awesome display of power and acrobatic prowess,
white sharks
attack prey with a sudden vertical rush that propels them out of the
water. “They hunt solitary juvenile Cape fur seals when light levels are
low, stalking them from near the ocean floor to remain undetected,
before launching a vertical attack,” Hammerschlag said. “This strategy
maximizes a shark’s chances of catching a seal unaware thus initiating a
fatal first strike. Stealth and ambush are key elements in the white
shark’s predatory strategy.” This
hunting strategy of great white sharks can best be observed in these
fascinating photographs and artistic CG images of these marvelous
