Shark-Themed Florida Vacation Rental
In the waters around Florida, there are many different sharks. On beaches like Miami Beach, people go into the ocean as usual. Shark attacks are relatively rare – in cases where an attack did occur, the suspected cause is a case of mistaken identity with prey. Sharks rarely come close to the beach because they prefer deeper water. Most of the sharks swimming around are bull sharks and tiger sharks; hammerhead sharks are also commonly seen.
Shark species in Florida
- Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
- Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias)
- Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
- Sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus)
- Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
- Thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus)
Most recorded shark bites come from the blacktip shark. This shark species migrates along the coast throughout the year and, at about 1.5 meters, is quite small – the bites are generally not life-threatening. In recent years, there have been hardly any attacks because aircraft and helicopters now keep watch and warning systems issue alerts early.
Conclusion: Florida is the Sunshine State and remains a swimming paradise. However, keep a few safety precautions in mind:
- Don’t go into the water with open wounds
- Remove jewelry – especially gold jewelry; sharks can be attracted by reflected light
- Don’t swim at night or at sunset – sharks hunt at night
- Don’t swim too far from shore
- Go into the water with several people – sharks stay away from groups
- Always pay attention to warnings from lifeguards
Collecting shark teeth in Florida
Florida’s wonderful sandy beaches also offer the opportunity to collect fossil shark teeth – a highlight for young and old. Your chances are very high on South Venice Beach / Caspersen, but also on all other beaches throughout Florida.
Insider tips:
- Shark teeth are black, not white!
- Search about 20 cm (about 8 in) from the waterline
- Use a sieve for searching – it helps tremendously
- Once you’ve found a few, you’ll get the hang of it