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We’ve never forgiven Steven Spielberg for scaring us all those years ago. It’s been decades, and still, we can’t help but side-eye the ocean—namely, the horrifying creatures within. Despite the irrational fears and confusing myths, we’ve since come to learn that some sharks are perfectly friendly! Grab your scuba gear and head on down; we're here to introduce you to a few of our favorites.
Muséum national d'histoire naturelle on Wikimedia
1. Nurse Shark
While you shouldn’t trust this shark to dress any wounds, nurse sharks are gentle giants that don’t start fights with humans. If anything, they’ll likely swim away when they see you. Of course, you want to be careful should you encounter one, but if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.
Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble on Wikimedia
2. Angel Shark
That’s one way to let people know you’re friendly! This aptly named shark is a bottom-dwelling species, spending most of its time just chillin’ on the seafloor. The biggest issue is when divers mistake their calm demeanor for an invitation to touch them.
vinicius_s_domingues on Wikimedia
3. Basking Shark
Take our word for it—these lumbering sharks have no real interest in humans. So long as you respect their space and massive size, you can peacefully coexist alongside these adorable sea creatures. They mostly snack on plankton and don’t even eat meat, so you’re in the clear!
Green Fire Productions on Wikimedia
4. Whale Shark
Whale sharks are pretty, and they know it, typically posing for photos without so much as an exposed tooth. Despite their size, they’re frequently dubbed “gentle giants” who don’t target humans. Researchers have even conducted behavioral studies with nary a peep!
5. Leopard Shark
It’s not every day you meet a docile shark, but here we are. Say hello to the leopard shark—literally! They’ve never posed a threat to humans, and their quirky little smile only lures in curious divers. So long as you respect them, you can probably enjoy reciprocated curiosity.
Martin Holst Friborg Pedersen from Copenhagen S, Denmark on Wikimedia
