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VIA SUN-SENTINEL – Sharks and people: Too close for comfort

A great white shark makes a distinctive outline above a diver. The species' physical appearance, bite pattern and tooth marks make it readily identifiable in recorded unprovoked attacks on humans, according to the report "Responding to the Risk of White Shark Attacks." When asked about the difference between white sharks and great white sharks, Chris Lowe, director of the Cal State Long Beach Shark Lab, said they were the "same critter." "This is the problem with common names," he said. "Most scientists just call them white sharks. Besides, we don't want them to get too cocky thinking they're 'greater' than all the other species."<br /><br /> </br><br /><br /> Related: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-shark-attacks-20120709,0,5981135.story">More sharks, more people, more dangerous run-ins</a>

A great white shark makes a distinctive outline above a diver.

A great white shark snatches a bird out of the air near Neptune Islands, Australia. Australia has the highest total number of unprovoked great white shark attacks and fatalities from 1876 to 2008. According to researchers, the continent had 126 total attacks in that time period and 50 of those were fatal.

A great white shark snatches a bird out of the air near Neptune Islands, Australia.

The great white shark has incredible strength and an ability to propel itself, as seen on Discovery Channel's "Ultimate Air Jaws." In an attack on a kayaker in early July near Santa Cruz, a great white shark reportedly lifted up the craft with a man in it before chomping the front of the kayak. The force of the attack tossed the kayaker into the water. He was pulled unharmed from the water by a nearby boater.

The great white shark has incredible strength and an ability to propel itself, as seen on Discovery Channel’s “Ultimate Air Jaws.”

A group of divers near Isla de Guadalupe, Mexico, get a close-up of a great white as it investigates their cage.

A group of divers near Isla de Guadalupe, Mexico, get a close-up of a great white as it investigates their cage.

I DON’T THINK I EVER WANT TO SEE A SHARK THAT UPCLOSE AND PERSONAL!

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