What makes one shark bite another?
Sharks may bite each other for a variety of reasons, including territorial disputes, mating rituals, or competition for food.
Sharks rarely bite each other, as they prefer to avoid conflict and aggression. However, there are certain scenarios that may lead to shark-on-shark biting incidents, including:
1. Feeding Competition: When food resources are scarce, sharks may become more aggressive towards each other, especially during feeding frenzies. Competition for prey, such as fish or seals, can result in bites between sharks.
2. Territory and Dominance: Like many animals, sharks establish territories to ensure access to resources and mating opportunities. Conflicts may arise if another shark encroaches upon a dominant shark's territory, leading to aggressive behavior and potential biting.
3. Mating Behavior: During mating season, male sharks may bite female sharks while attempting to mate. This behavior, known as "mating scars," is a result of the male holding onto the female during courtship.
It's important to note that shark-on-shark biting is relatively rare compared to inter-species interactions and human-shark encounters.