We hope the following story about a beautiful friendship will offer everyone a friendlier perspective on sharks.
Humans have friends not only among pets like dogs or cats, which often enjoy being around people, but also extend their friendships to various wild animals.
Many documented cases of humans befriending famous wild animals have brought tears to countless readers, including fierce predators such as lions, tigers, leopards, and bears. The story below narrates the friendship between a diver and a shark that has lasted for over seven years.
Rick Anderson is an experienced diver and the operator of a diving school in New South Wales, Australia. This job requires divers to be well-trained and meticulous, yet it is incredibly fascinating due to the nature of the work, providing countless interactions with the “residents” living on the ocean floor.
The downside of this job is that diving is dangerous, with risks of injury or even death. Additionally, due to the deep-sea environment and the pressure of seawater, most divers retire and switch to other professions by middle age.
Moreover, divers face potential dangers from predatory creatures on the ocean floor, such as octopuses, orcas, sharks, and sea snakes…
A young Port Jackson shark when it was very small.
However, during a work trip seven years ago, Anderson bravely played with a “baby shark.” The young Port Jackson shark at that time was tiny, only about 15 cm long, and seemed quite intrigued by the presence of a creature so different from itself.
Anderson stated that to avoid startling the little shark, he approached it very slowly and gently patted around its body. Once the shark became accustomed to the stranger’s presence, the diver carefully cradled it in his hands and whispered friendly words.
From that day on, every time he met the “baby shark,” Anderson expressed affection towards the animal. Gradually, it became a habit, and the shark began to recognize Anderson’s presence, swimming closer to him for affection.
The diver shared: “Most other divers do not believe my story. In fact, I don’t even feed the shark to lure it; I treat it like a pet dog at home. Many people misunderstand that sharks are all bloodthirsty killers with no brains, but I always feel comfortable swimming with this animal.”
They have a peculiar shape and a different mouth compared to many other shark species.
The Port Jackson shark belongs to the bullhead shark family, Heterodontidae. They are found in the coastal waters of southern Australia, including the waters off Port Jackson.
They have a peculiar shape and a different mouth compared to many other shark species. Their mouths have two different sets of teeth. The front teeth are small and sharp for grasping prey, while the broader, flatter teeth are used for crushing their food.
Unlike many aggressive shark species, Port Jackson sharks are quite docile and rarely seen attacking others.
