Air Jaws by Grace H

Air Jaws

By Grace H

General statement: These magnificent great white sharks are vicious, aggressive and ferocious hunters and scavengers, they breach to the amazing height of 2 massive metres from the murky waters that surround the location, Seal Island. Even though they have very little interest in humans, they still strike us with fear. They are the devouring “Air Jaws” of South Africa.

Diet: “Air Jaws” would devour anything in their sight, even if the prey is a challenging target. They are very determined to have their lunch, but if they miss out, they will blow their top and then their aggression levels will increase massively. They most commonly eat cape fur seals and african penguins. Competition excites the sharks.When a shark is larger than others, it has a bigger priority in feasting time. Air jaws adapt and adjust well to the seals’ supple skills. The more attacks a seal survives, the more intelligent the seal becomes.

Habitat: These violent hunters like to scavenge in the area of the Ring Of Death. The Ring Of Death is located 400 yards away from Seal Island in False Bay, near Cape Town. False Bay is the home to many cape fur seals and african penguins. There are dozens of great white sharks that patrol the outer waters of Seal Island. “Air jaws” prefer to hunt in the Ring of Death zone. They also favour water that has the temperature of 55 degrees. Seals have to cross the Ring of Death to enter and exit. Seals would leave the island in groups of 8-12, but return in much smaller groups. Seals take one breath before cautiously ducking underneath the water because the Ring Of Death is coming near.

Attacking/Behaviour: As the “air jaws” are surrounding the island, they have an attacking strategy that repeats like an endless eating pattern. In shallow waters they attack in a parallel direction towards their prey and when they’re in mid/deep murky waters they attack vertically.  When they are hunting in clear water, they dive deeper into the water to become camouflaged to their prey. “Air jaws” begin scavenging at dawn. When an uninvited visitor appears in their sight, their instinct to attack instantly switches on. They were built for speed, it is vital when they’re attacking. Sharks can travel to nearly 20 miles per hour. Sharks have up to 5-6  breaches everyday ,they breach from the water and flip ridiculously to capture its prey. Air jaws follow the rule of shoot first, ask questions later. After a shark attacks it would leave and return later to finish off its feast. Sharks are very careful around objects that are new or suspicious, like various forms of water transport.

Conclusion: The “air jaws” strike when least expected and chew with aggression and power. These sharks will consume anything that’s breathing within their reach. They can destroy whatever crosses their path within seconds. These destructive animals are not all teeth and violence, they have lives that include intelligence and respect. These are False Bay’s “Air Jaws”.