Contrary to popular belief, shark attacks on humans are usually brief exploratory bites, not predatory hunts. Sharks primarily use their mouths to explore, and their diet consists mainly of fish. A study even showed sharks were attracted to fish blood, not mammal blood. While serious injuries can occur, the behavior is not indicative of a desire for human flesh. The movie Jaws, though iconic, inaccurately portrays shark behavior. The film's limited shark appearances were due to mechanical issues with the shark model.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.