Shark History

      The first-ever shark evolved around 400 million years ago and there are now 500 different species of them all over the world. Scientists believe sharks came to the world 200 million years before the dinosaurs. Sharks are one of the most dominant species and they are at the top of the food chain. The oldest found shark originated in Siberia and sharks are now most dominant in the United States and Australia.

Staying safe near these predators 

      Although shark encounters are very rare it’s important to know how to stay safe if you ever come face to face with one. One of the most important things is to always go swimming with a group of people, never go in the water alone. The ocean is very dangerous in the day but even more at night which is why swimming late at night when dark out is a major risk. Another key factor to keep in mind is that sharks are attracted to blood and silver, which is why you should never enter the water when wearing jewelry or with an open wound. 

 Long Island’s history with sharks

      Despite Long Island is a very small island it is still known as a shark hotspot. Around 30 Great White sharks have been found over the Long Island beaches in a matter of only 5 years. Thankfully sharks are pretty rare, people say you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than facing a shark. The chances are 1 in 5 million so it is very rare.