DIRECTIONS: Sharks are very powerful and beautiful creatures, and they are also very dangerous. As a lifeguard on a beach in Oahu, Hawaii, it is your responsibility to prepare reports about shark sightings and bring them to the proper authorities. You know that it is very unlikely that a shark will attack people, especially if the people are careful, but records like this help to keep the beaches safe. These eyewitness accounts were taken just today. Evaluate them to determine what type of shark you believe was observed on the beach or in the water in each account. Use the Web site below to help you identify the predators.
Sharks of Hawaii: The Most Common Inshore Species
http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/sharimgs.html
- Witness One: "I saw a big shark. It was at least 14 feet long! It was chasing after a ray. I thought it was going to eat me!"
Witness Two: "I saw it, too! It had a big, flat head."
These witnesses saw a _________________________ shark.
- Witness One: "The shark I saw had white tips on the end of its fins. It was about 3 feet long. It was close to shore."
Witness Two: "Yeah, it wasn't that big, but I was still scared. I think I saw a piece of an octopus hanging from its mouth."
These witnesses saw a _________________________ shark.
- Witness One: "I've never seen a shark like this before. It was huge! I think it was about 18 feet long."
Witness Two: "We were night fishing on the shore when we saw it, but I think I saw stripes on its side. What kind of shark looks like that?"
These witnesses saw a _________________________ shark.
- Witness One: "The shark was around 11 feet long. It had a big fin that was shaped like a triangle. I didn't see any black markings on it."
Witness Two: "It was out there where the water gets deep all of a sudden. I think it was eating fish way under the water."
These witnesses saw a _________________________ shark.
- Witness One: "That shark had black on its fins. I could see it plainly."
Witness Two: "I think it was 3 feet long. It was in the shallow water."
Witness Three: "I agree. I saw it eating fish out by the reef."
These witnesses saw a _________________________ shark.
- Witness One: "The shark I saw had dark fins at the back. I believe it was 5 feet long. When it swam by my boat out at the reef, it was eating lobster."
The witness saw a _________________________ shark.
- Witness One: "I was in the harbor, trolling for crabs with my net. The shark came close to me."
Witness Two: "It had to have been more than 5 feet long. It seemed to be feeding on shrimp. It had a pointed head. The fin on its back was close to its nose."
These witnesses saw a _________________________ shark.
- Witness One: "My wife and I were diving in the ocean when we saw it. I'm sure it was 8 feet long."
Witness Two: "I got a very good look at it. It had dark spots on the ends of its fins and a white stripe along its side. I even saw it snatching fish in its mouth. I was afraid that I might be next!"
These witnesses saw a _________________________ shark.
© 1999 by Education World®. Permission is granted to teachers to reproduce this skill page for classroom use.
