Ian Bronson
Certain shark breeds, like the great white, have razor-sharp teeth and powerful bodies and are regarded as the apex predators of the marine world. But did you know some sea creatures eat sharks and even fight them? This proves that even the most fearsome animals also have creatures they avoid crossing paths with. In this post, we take a look at the top 15 aquatic animals that get into fights with sharks or eat them for dinner.
Dolphins: Agility and Skill
Sharks tend to avoid dolphins, which are known for their speed and ability to work together. When dolphins operate in groups, their agility and coordinated movements allow them to injure or outmaneuver sharks effectively. Sharks’ relatively stiff bodies, combined with their differently oriented fins, leave them at a disadvantage in such encounters.
Giant Orcas: Apex Predators of the Sea
Studies reveal that great white sharks will often abandon an area when orcas are present. Orcas, hunting in groups, overpower sharks using both their superior strength and strategic teamwork. Their bite is much more forceful than a shark’s, allowing orcas to kill sharks with ease. These encounters establish orcas as a dominant predator, even over sharks.
Intra-Species Cannibalism
Among sharks, larger individuals frequently prey on smaller ones. This behavior, found in species like the great white and bull sharks, involves adult sharks eating younger, smaller sharks, which helps regulate their populations by ensuring that only the strongest survive. This natural form of population control also limits competition for food resources among the remaining sharks.
Alligators: The Reptilian Threat
Though rare, when alligators and sharks encounter each other in head-to-head combat, alligators often have the upper hand, taking down the shark in a few powerful bites. In some coastal areas where their habitats overlap, scientists have discovered the remains of sharks inside alligators, suggesting that the reptiles can overpower sharks in these encounters.
Giant Squid: Deep-Sea Adversaries
Encounters between sharks and giant squid are known to leave scars on the sharks, which indicates that the squids use their long, muscular tentacles to grapple with and injure sharks. These deep-sea battles are part of the mysterious interactions between the two formidable predators, where the squid almost always takes the lead.
Large Groupers: Surprise Attacks
Groupers, particularly the large species, have been known to hunt and consume smaller sharks. These massive fish use their powerful jaws to ambush unsuspecting sharks and sometimes swallow them whole. Their ability to surprise and overpower smaller sharks makes them an unexpected but dangerous threat in the underwater world.
Sea Lions: Opportunistic Predators
Sea lions in the Pacific Ocean have been known to hunt and eat smaller sharks. The agile marine mammal can use its speed and sharp teeth to catch and devour sharks. What’s more, there is even footage on YouTube by TheMalibuArtist that shows a sea lion chasing a great white shark.
Sperm Whales: Massive Hunters
Sperm whales are massive and have deep-diving abilities, intimidating certain shark species. This whale species is known to hunt deep-sea sharks by using its echolocation skills to locate prey in the dark ocean depths. Once a shark is targeted, the sheer sperm whale leaves the shark little chance to escape.
Octopuses: Crafty Predators
Larger octopuses have been observed preying on sharks in captivity. Their intelligence and ability to use their tentacles to suffocate or immobilize sharks make them dangerous adversaries. Similar behavior has been noted in the wild and deep waters, which adds octopuses to the list of animals sharks should avoid.
Moray Eels: Ambush Experts
These creatures have an aggressive nature and impressive stealth ambush tactics, which can even trap unsuspecting sharks. This type of eel hides in crevices and uses its powerful jaws to latch onto passing sharks. Their ability to strike quickly and hold on tightly can cause significant injury or death to smaller shark species.
Swordfish: Armed and Dangerous
With their long, sharp bills, swordfish have been known to attack and kill sharks. These powerful deep sea predators use their bills to slash at sharks, which causes severe injuries. Swordfish can swim at incredibly high speeds, so they can strike with precision and escape before the shark can retaliate.
Humboldt Squid: Aggressive Swarmers
Referred to as “red devils,” Humboldt squids are aggressive predators that can take on sharks in large groups. The aquatic animal’s pack-hunting behavior overwhelms sharks with its numbers and sharp beaks. Humboldt squids’ sheer ferocity and coordination make them a formidable threat to sharks.
Cape Clawless Otters: Small but Mighty Hunters
Native to Africa, Cape clawless otters are surprisingly strong when it comes to hunting down sharks. Otters have been observed preying on small sharks and rays in shallow coastal waters. Their dexterous claws and sharp teeth allow them to catch and eat their prey efficiently. Despite their size, these otters are fearless against sharks.
Whelks Marine Snails: Tiny Shark Villains
Whelks are marine snails that prey on shark eggs. These gastropods bore into the egg cases to feed on the developing embryos. Studies suggest that some shark species have adapted by producing more eggs and shortening incubation periods to reduce the time eggs are vulnerable to these predators.
Sea Urchins: The Impact on Shark Populations
Sea urchins, such as the green urchin, are also predators of shark eggs. In the Gulf of Maine, green urchins have been observed feeding on the eggs of the little skate, a type of shark. These echinoderms pose a significant threat to shark populations by preying on their vulnerable egg cases.
