Editing Shark attack (section)

== Reasons for attacks ==
Large shark species are [[apex predator]]s in their environment,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://na.nefsc.noaa.gov/sharks/ |title=Apex Predators Program |publisher=Na.nefsc.noaa.gov |access-date=23 September 2010 |archive-date=10 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210000630/http://na.nefsc.noaa.gov/sharks/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and thus have little fear of any creature (other than [[orca]]s<ref name="Turner">{{Cite journal|last=Turner|first=Pamela S.|title=Showdown at Sea: What happens when great white sharks go fin-to-fin with killer whales?|journal=National Wildlife|volume=42|issue=6|date=Oct–Nov 2004|url=http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Animals/Archives/2004/Showdown-at-Sea.aspx|access-date= 21 August 2012}}</ref>) with which they cross paths. Like most sophisticated hunters, they are curious when they encounter something unusual in their territories. Lacking any limbs with sensitive digits such as hands or feet, the only way they can explore an object or organism is to bite it. These bites are known as test bites.<ref name="sharkdive">{{cite web |url=http://www.romow.com/travel-blog/what-to-expect-on-your-great-white-shark-diving-tour/ |title=What To Expect on Your Great White Shark Diving Tour |publisher=Romow.com |date=7 August 2009 |access-date=23 September 2010 |archive-date=1 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301154944/http://www.romow.com/travel-blog/what-to-expect-on-your-great-white-shark-diving-tour/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Generally, shark bites are exploratory, and the animal will swim away after one bite.<ref name="sharkdive" /> For example, exploratory bites on surfers are thought to be caused by the shark mistaking the surfer and surfboard for the shape of prey.<ref name="howstuff">{{cite web|last=Grabianowski |first=Ed |url=http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/shark-attack.htm |title=HowStuffWorks "How Shark Attacks Work" |publisher=Adventure.howstuffworks.com |date= 10 August 2005|access-date=23 September 2010}}</ref> Nonetheless, a single bite can grievously injure a human if the animal involved is a powerful predator such as a great white or tiger shark.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grabianowski |first=Ed |url=http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/shark-attack4.htm |title=HowStuffWorks "Shark Attack Damage" |publisher=Adventure.howstuffworks.com |date= 10 August 2005|access-date=23 September 2010}}</ref>

A shark will normally make one swift attack and then retreat to wait for the victim to die or weaken from shock and blood loss, before returning to feed. This protects the shark from injury from a wounded and aggressive target; it also allows humans time to get out of the water and survive.<ref>{{cite web |title=Great White Shark |url=http://www.extremescience.com/GreatWhiteShark.htm |access-date=23 September 2010 |publisher=Extremescience.com}}</ref> Shark attacks may also occur due to territorial reasons or as dominance over another shark species.<ref name="howstuff1">{{cite web|last=Grabianowski |first=Ed |url=http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/shark-attack1.htm |title=HowStuffWorks "Shark Sensory System" |publisher=Adventure.howstuffworks.com |date= 10 August 2005|access-date=23 September 2010}}</ref>

Sharks are equipped with sensory organs called the [[Ampullae of Lorenzini]] that detect the electricity generated by muscle movement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marinebiodiversity.ca/shark/english/ampul.htm |title=Ampullae of Lorenzini |publisher=Marinebiodiversity.ca |access-date=23 September 2010}}</ref> The shark's electrical receptors, which pick up movement, detect signals like those emitted from wounded fish. For example, someone who is spearfishing, leading the shark to attack the person by mistake.<ref name="howstuff1" /> According to [[George H. Burgess]], director of the [[International Shark Attack File]], "Attacks are basically an odds game based on how many hours you are in the water".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1161702.stm | work=BBC News | title=Shark attacks at record high | date=9 February 2001 | access-date=6 April 2010}}</ref>