Their eyes are tiny, their maw huge, and their bite lethal. No wonder half of Americans say they are afraid of sharks. Some of us are so worried, we won’t even go in the water. But not only are the odds of dying by shark attack incredibly remote, we humans need these fierce predators to protect our oceans. Sharks keep marine life in balance and prevent overgrazing. They keep coral reefs healthy. LIFE Sharks dives into the world of sharks, exploring their prehistoric origins, unrivaled survival instinct, marvelous design, and mythological status. In this special issue, you will be dazzled by pictures by expert underwater photographers that are so close up and detailed it seems you are in the deep with great white sharks, hammerheads, makos, tigers, and tiny dwarf lantern sharks, which can fit in the palm of your hand. Also included are interviews with leading scientists who are expanding our understanding of sharks, and information about diving with sharks so you can see them yourself. Feed your fascination, not your fear, of sharks with this special celebration.
LIFE: Sharks
The Power of Sharks • THEIR EYES ARE TINY, THEIR MAWS, HUGE, AND THEIR BITE, LETHAL. NO WONDER HALF OF AMERICANS SAY THEY ARE AFRAID OF THESE DYNAMIC PREDATORS.
Fierce Predators • WHETHER SHARKS PREFER MOLLUSKS, SEALS, SEAGULLS, OR OTHER SHARKS FOR DINNER, ALMOST ALL ARE CARNIVORES—AND RUTHLESS ON THE HUNT.
Understanding Sharks • WITH SOME 500 SPECIES—FROM THE TINY LANTERN SHARK TO THE MASSIVE WHALE SHARK—THIS FIERCE PREDATOR HELPS KEEP MARINE LIFE IN BALANCE.
Unlikely Survivors • IN PREHISTORIC TIMES, SHARKS WERE EASY TARGETS FOR MANY SEA CREATURES, BUT HAVING OUTLIVED ALMOST EVERY OTHER ANIMAL, TODAY THEY RULE AT THE TOP OF THE OCEAN’S FOOD CHAIN.
A Shark’s Life • WITH TEETH SHARPENED FOR GRASPING PREY, SKIN DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED, AND A NEARLY 360-DEGREE FIELD OF VIEW, SHARKS EMBODY FORM AS FUNCTION.
The Many, Many Kinds • THE GREAT WHITE SHARK IS THE MOST ICONIC SPECIES, BUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHERS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST UNUSUAL, INCLUDING THE RAY-LIKE ANGEL SHARK AND THE COOKIECUTTER, WHICH, AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, EXCISES CHUNKS FROM THE FLESH OF ITS PREY.
Humans and Sharks • WE ARE FASCINATED AND TERRIFIED BY THESE NOTORIOUS PREDATORS, BUT SHARKS HAVE MUCH TO FEAR FROM HUMAN BEINGS.
Our Shared History • SHARKS HAVE KEPT THE WORLD’S OCEANS HEALTHY FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. THEIR POWERS HAVE FASCINATED HUMANS, BUT ALSO PUT THE LIVES OF THESE APEX PREDATORS AT RISK.
Reshaping the Shark Narrative • MEET THREE BRILLIANT RESEARCHERS WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO NOT ONLY DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT SHARKS, BUT ALSO ADVOCATING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THEIR OCEAN HABITAT.
Shark Facts and Stats • ONE SPECIES CAN GROW TO THE SIZE OF A SCHOOL BUS. ANOTHER HAS MEMBERS THAT HAVE LIVED FOR FOUR CENTURIES. PLUS: THE ODDS OF GETTING ATTACKED BY A SHARK.
Famous Fins • FROM FOLKLORE TO CARTOONS TO THE SILVER SCREEN, SHARKS HAVE OCCUPIED AN OUTSIZED ROLE IN THE POPULAR IMAGINATION.
The Shark Gods • IN THE FOLKLORE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN’S NATIVE PEOPLES, THE SHARK IS FEARED BUT REVERED AS THE FORCE THAT POWERS THE UNIVERSE AND EMBODIES THE SPIRITS OF ANCESTORS.
The Story of ‘Jaws’ • THE 1975 SHARK MOVIE WAS PLAGUED WITH ON-SET FEUDS, PRODUCTION MALFUNCTIONS, AND A DEMORALIZED DIRECTOR—STEVEN SPIELBERG. THEN IT BROKE BOX OFFICE RECORDS AND INTRODUCED THE SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER.
Sharks in Pop Culture • CUTTHROAT, CARNIVOROUS … AND ADORABLY CUDDLY? THE OCEAN’S MOST FAMOUS APEX PREDATOR STEALS THE SCENE EVERY TIME.
Sharks on TV • WHEN IT COMES TO RATINGS, ADVERTISING DOLLARS, AND LONG-AND SHORT-TERM AUDIENCE GAINS, THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF SHARK PROGRAMMING.
Photo Credits
LIFE Bookazines