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Great Whites Hunt Like Serial Killers

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2009 7:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – Great white sharks lurk in the dark and follow young victims much like serial killers on the prowl, the AP reports. Far from being random attackers, the sharks pursue specific victims from 100 yards off—far enough to see but not be seen—hiding in areas they know well. "There's some strategy going on," said University of Miami shark researcher Neil Hammerschlag. "It's more than sharks lurking at the water waiting to go after them."

Researchers figured out sharks' attack patterns by applying a police technique called geographic profiling, normally used to track down criminals. The "fancy math" of geographic profiling showed how sharks were methodically tracking their victims, Hammerschlag said. But great whites lack one element of the serial killer, he admitted: motive. Sharks kill only to eat and survive.

This photo shows a young great white shark, with tag attached to its dorsal fin, swimming off in Monterey Bay, Calif.
This photo shows a young great white shark, with tag attached to its dorsal fin, swimming off in Monterey Bay, Calif.   (AP Photo/Monterey Bay Aquarium, Tyson Rininger)
A person walks past a replica of a Great White Shark at a business that advertises itself as a shark museum July 3, 2005 in Fort Walton Beach , Fla.
A person walks past a replica of a Great White Shark at a business that advertises itself as a shark museum July 3, 2005 in Fort Walton Beach , Fla.   (Getty Images)
A great white shark leaps in the air.
A great white shark leaps in the air.   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
cougar09
Jun 22, 2009 12:57 PM CDT
well duh! why did it take some guy from the college to figure this one out.
RobN
Jun 22, 2009 7:59 AM CDT
Best post ever.
doingtherightthing
Jun 22, 2009 7:44 AM CDT
Wow, Science and Health has some bright scholars out there. .......

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