MYTH

While sharks have an excellent sense of smell, they can only detect blood from about a quarter mile away under ideal conditions.

Source: Shark Sensory Biology - Florida Museum

FACT

Sharks have skeletons made entirely of cartilage, the same flexible material in human ears and noses.

Source: Shark Anatomy - Georgia Aquarium

MYTH

While reported attacks may increase due to better reporting and more people in the water, actual attack rates remain very low.

Source: Shark Attack Trends - International Shark Attack File

FACT

Sharks have special organs called ampullae of Lorenzini that can detect the electrical fields of other animals.

Source: Shark Magnetic Navigation - Current Biology

MYTH

While rare, sharks can and do get cancer. This misconception led to harmful cartilage supplement marketing.

Source: Do Sharks Get Cancer? - Journal of Cancer Research