Afraid Of Sharks? Wear Dark Colors!
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The biggest fear most surfers and swimmers face when they head out deep into the oceans, is being attacked by a shark. Now, a new study released by Australian scientists has revealed that these fish may be color blind - A breakthrough that may not only help make the waters safer, but also, prevent these mighty animals from accidentally getting entangled inside fishing nets.
Using a technique called microspectrophotometry, scientists examined the retinal cells of seventeen species of sharks, caught off the shores of New Zealand and Australia. What they discovered was interesting. The retina of a normal living creature comprises of two kinds of light receiving cells - Rod cells, which are extremely light sensitive and help measure brightness, allowing for normal eyesight day and night and, Cone cells which help distinguish between colors.
While the scientists were able to find plenty of Rod cells in the retinas of the sharks, ten of the seventeen species had no Cone cells. The other seven did have some, but only of a single type, sensitive to color wavelenghts of about 530 nanometers, which happens to be the wavelength of the color green. This means that while the fish are able to distinguish between shades of grey and in some cases even blue/green, they cannot see any other colors.
These findings are consistent with similar research done on other aquatic animals like whales, dolphins and seals that all possessed only the green Cone cells. Scientists believe that distinguishing between colors is not that important to the sea creatures, because colors are quite useless at the depths at which they live. Instead, they seek out their prey or predator, based on how much it contrasts or stands out, compared to the surrounding waters.
Since there are over 400 different species of sharks, more studies need to be done to see if the color blindness extends to all of them. But, scientists are very excited with this breakthrough. They believe if it does holds true for all sharks, fishing lures and swimming attire can be designed in colors that are less prominent to sharks, making the waters safe for both man and fish! Now, if we could only find a way to make their hearing less acute!
Resources: news.nationalgeographic.com, news.discovery.com,
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923 Comments
graces4903over 12 yearsDO NOT WEAR A COLORFUL SWIMSUIT NEAR A SHARK!
trician0620over 12 yearsI learned that you should wear dark clothes whenever you go in a place where sharks could be.Also that sharks are colorblind.
jordanh602over 12 yearsI think that this article is important because it tells you that you should wear dark cloths or else a shark would see you and it might do something to you.
josephd324over 12 yearsIn this article I read that if you wear dark colors in the ocean you are less likely to be attacked by a shark.- BOBover 12 yearsscary and this is ASOME!!!!!!
seanr0620almost 13 yearsThis article is about what NOT to wear when you are swimming or surfing because sharks don't have cone sensors. This means that they can't tell light colors from dark colors but it is safer to wear a dark colored bathing suit. I enjoyed learning more interesting facts about sharks.
caitlinm926almost 13 yearsi learned that i should wear a dark bathing .if i go far in the water
annaw0706almost 13 yearsIn this articl i learned that sharks only see by contrast of light and dark. So if you go swimming or surfing in the ocean you should NOT wear a colorful swimsuit!- annaw0706almost 13 yearsi leared tha sharks can only see by contrast of light and dark. so when you go swimming or surfing in the ocean you should NOT were a colorful swimsuit.
carolinec1110almost 13 yearsIn this article I learned that sharks only see by contrast of light and dark. You will be safer if you don't wear colorful bathing suits. My dad surfs so I will tell him to buy a black bathing suit!