Results of the world's first study simulating “shark vision” using swimming patterns of humans, seals and sea lions support theories that great white sharks can attack humans due to misidentification.
Scientists from Macquarie University were able to accurately determine that surfers, swimmers and pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) on the ocean surface look the same to a white shark, which looks upwards, because it does not see small details or colors.
The results of this new study were published in the journal The Royal Society Interface. It was based on a practical test, proven over many years of the team's work, aimed at understanding how great white sharks see. During the study, experts examined the neurobiology of the visual systems of great white sharks.
Scientists compared the underwater video to rectangular floats, seals and sea lions, people swimming in various styles, and people rowing on surfboards of various sizes in a large aquarium at Taronga Zoo. After analyzing the recordings, scientists found that people who swim and row on surfboards to a young white shark are very reminiscent of seals and sea lions.
Photo: from open sources