Scientists in California have been left puzzle by a wave of fatal shark attacks on ocean otters , despite the fact that the marauder have no interest in actually feeding on their furred victim . Talking toNational Geographic , Tim Tinker of the US Geological Survey ’s Western Ecological Research Center explained that “ as far as we can tell , a white shark has never wipe out a sea otter , ” and whenever a pestilent onrush takes place “ we always get the whole animal back . ”
While the odd shark taking out its aggressiveness on another animal probably would n’t arouse too much confusion , the phone number of otters currently being slaughter by Californian sharks is rocket at a bafflingly sharp pace . harmonize to Tinker , “ shark - bitten animals now account for more than half of the [ otter ] carcasses we discover , ” and “ outperform all other sources of death combined . ”
As a result , sea otterpopulations in parts of California have taken a hit , leave to concern among conservationists .
Researchers are able to recognize the cause of death from the fact that sting marks on the otters ’ bodies match those of white sharks , while several have also been found with teeth file in their fur and flesh . However , since the animals are little more than oversized hairball , offering very little nutrition to predatory animal , research worker are stumped as to why local sharks seem to have taken up this murderous furor .
One theory is that the shark are merely mistaking otters for more nutritious quarry like seal and ocean lions , which are packed with calorific blubber . Only after seize with teeth them , however , do the shark realize their misunderstanding , and therefore leave their hairy leftovers to simply float away .
However , while this hypothesis – which is also used to explain mostshark attacks on humans – may well obligate water supply , Tinker assert that we ca n’t be sure of the real reason behind this phenomenon , saying “ the truth is , we ’re in abstruse I - just - don’t - know nation . ”
The 2nd part of the closed book concern why such a sudden increase in shark attacks on otters is being celebrate decent now . One possible explanation could be that successful preservation in recent year has led to increases in both white shark and otter populations , making encounters between the two more probable . An substitute theory , however , is that clime modification is driving shark further north , lead to increasing excursions into the otter ’ habitat .
[ H / T : National Geographic ]
