1. Walking Sharks Discovered
Since around 2013, scientists have confirmed “walking sharks” several species of epaulette/bamboo sharks (genus Hemiscyllium) from Indonesia, northern Australia, and Papua New Guinea using their pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” across the seafloor and even short distances on land. About nine species are known, including recent discoveries in 2013 and beyond. These sharks are harmless, typically under 1 m long, and their locomotive behavior offers valuable insights into vertebrate evolution.
2. The Shark That Spit Up a Tattooed Arm
In April 1935, a 3.5 m tiger shark on display at Coogee Aquarium in Sydney shocked spectators by vomiting a human forearm bearing a tattoo of two boxers sparring. The arm had originally been swallowed not by the tiger shark but by a smaller shark that it had eaten earlier. Police traced the limb to James “Jimmy” Smith, a boxer and informant who went missing days earlier. Examination revealed the arm had been cleanly severed, pointing to foul play. Evidence tied the case to smuggling and gang figures like Reginald Holmes and Patrick Brady, but crucial suspects died or weren’t convicted, and the mystery remains unsolved.
3. Real‑Life Jaws: New Jersey Terror
In July 1916, a series of shark attacks along New Jersey beaches and in Matawan Creek – including one incident in a freshwater creek claimed four lives over less than two weeks.These rare attacks by what experts believe were either bull sharks or a rogue great white sparked widespread panic across the nation. The public’s fear reached such heights that newspapers sensationalized each event, and even the U.S. Army deployed sharpshooters on beaches. These horrifying attacks are widely credited as inspiration for Peter Benchley’s novel and Spielberg’s film Jaws, though Benchley insisted his work was fictional.
4. USS Indianapolis: Worst Shark Attack Ever
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sank in 12 minutes. About 900 men entered the water, but only 316 were ultimately rescued. Sailors survived the sinking and floated for days without food, water, or lifeboats. During five horrifying days at sea, survivors were relentlessly attacked by oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks, drawn by the blood and chaos. Between a few dozen and over 150 men are believed to have been eaten. Only 316 of the original crew survived. This remains the deadliest shark attack in history and entered popular consciousness via Jaws, where Quint recounts it as a real horror story.
5. Mako Shark Jumps on Boat, And Lives
A dramatic event occurred in November 2022 off Whitianga, New Zealand, when a 9‑ft mako shark leapt onto a fishing boat after being hooked, then slid back into the shallows alive. The shark survived unharmed, and the video footage made headlines around the world.This rare vertical leap, likely triggered by chasing prey, left the crew stunned. Remarkably, the shark survived the ordeal, reminding us that sharks sometimes behave in the most unexpected, almost supernatural ways.
6. Million‑Dollar Shark‑Fin Smugglers
A multimillion-dollar shark-fin trafficking ring was dismantled by U.S. law enforcement in 2020. Twelve individuals and two shell companies based in California and Florida were indicted for funneling thousands of pounds of fins, often illegally harvested, from Mexico to Hong Kong, under the guise of “dried seafood”. Smuggling operations wove complex networks, engaging in money laundering, drug trafficking, and exploitation of legal loopholes, highlighting how environmental crime often serves as cover for broader criminal activity. Conservation advocates argue for stronger global enforcement, citing the alarming rate, up to 73 million sharks killed annually for fins alone, as critical to protecting shark populations.
7. Shark vs. Subsea Cables
Reports once sparked viral panic when sharks were seen biting undersea internet cables. Cable operators like Google even wrapped lines in Kevlar-like coatings to deter further bites.YY et experts reveal shark-related cable damage is extremely rare, under 1% of faults, with most breaks due to anchors, fishing, or natural events. Shark bites have become more of a myth than a menace, though they likely stem from curiosity or confusion with prey, supported by their sensitivity to electromagnetic fields.
8. Aquarium’s “Virgin Birth” Shark Claims
In January 2025, a U.S. aquarium announced that a female swell shark (without any males for over three years) gave birth to a pup, sparking speculation about parthenogenesis. However, DNA tests are ongoing; scientists caution it may be due to parthenogenesis (rare asexual reproduction) or delayed fertilization, not necessarily a true “virgin birth.” Similar cases have occurred in other species like zebra or smoothhound sharks. The aquarium’s claim became a case study in caution, underscoring the importance of thorough scientific vetting before making grand biological assertions.
9. The Celebrity Shark “Mary Lee”
One great white shark, affectionately known as “Mary Lee,” became an internet icon when OCEARCH began tracking her migrations in 2012. At about 16 feet long and 3,500 pounds, she amassed tens of thousands of followers on social media, with real-time GPS updates of her journey along the East Coast. Mary Lee’s story sparked global interest, sparking both scientific curiosity and public engagement. Repeated sightings off South Carolina and Cape Cod made her a star, tracking her became a community activity. Though her transmitter has gone silent at times, her legacy remains: a beloved ambassador for shark conservation and a reminder that even apex predators can captivate human empathy.
10. The Shark That Inspired Jaws, But Disappeared
The infamous 1916 shark attacks in New Jersey sparked national panic and led some to believe a rogue shark was behind them, possibly a great white or a bull shark that swam far upriver into freshwater. Despite immense public pressure, no shark was ever captured. Scientists still debate the culprit: some point to a great white, while others argue a bull shark, known for tolerating freshwater, was actually responsible. Whatever the truth, the mystery of the vanished shark lives on, and it’s widely credited with inspiring Peter Benchley’s Jaws (though Benchley clarified his novel was fictional).
This story 10 Shark Stories So Wild You’ll Think We Made Them Up (But They’re All True) was first published on Daily FETCH
