Think Twice About Visiting This Shark-Infested California Lake

Several US states are known for their rates of shark bites and sightings and are dwelling to many seashores identified for shark encounters. A few of their shores have even seen a rise in assaults lately. As an illustration, Watersound and Seacrest Beach in Florida have seen sharks attacking people at record levels.

In some instances, like at Florida’s New Smyrna Beach, the total number of shark attacks has ballooned to over 300. This has not essentially brought on seashores to shut however has led officers to remind guests to know their shark security if venturing into the waters the place they’re identified to lurk.

Often, it is America’s beaches with sharks, where shark safety precautions are essential, that seemingly get all the eye. What nobody anticipates, nevertheless, is there being sharks in lakes. Consequently, it could make sense to assume twice about visiting this shark-infested lake in California.

California is thought for having among the most lovely lakes within the US, however what’s lesser-known is what may be present in its lakes’ waters. Be it the snake-infested Lake Tahoe or the arsenic-resistant nematode present in Mono Lake, there’s extra to the ecosystems within the Golden State’s lakes than most understand.

The identical is true for Lake Merritt, as leopard sharks have been identified to frequent it during the last a number of years. Whereas swimming shouldn’t be allowed in Lake Merritt, realizing sharks are within the water could also be sufficient to maintain guests from getting too shut because it laps the shoreline.

Lake Merritt Is Residence To Leopard Sharks

There have been a number of sightings of leopard sharks in Lake Merritt over the previous a number of years

Lake Merritt, situated in Oakland, is a tidal lagoon located near the center of downtown. The tidal lagoon was was a saltwater lake after it was dammed in 1868. By damming the lagoon, the water ranges rose, altering the salinity of the water to be lower than that of the bay.

In the present day, the lake nonetheless has excessive and low tides, due to its connection to the Pacific Ocean by way of the Lake Merritt Channel. Whereas the tides are usually not as excessive as they was, it’s the ebb and circulate of the water that permits sea life, like leopard sharks, to swim in Lake Merritt.

Not like different marine life that requires the next degree of salinity to outlive, leopard sharks have been in a position to adapt over time to have the ability to stay and hunt in brackish water. As such, it isn’t unusual to search out them in estuaries, very similar to Lake Merritt, in search of clams, shrimp, crabs, and small fish.

Most not too long ago, leopard sharks had been seen swimming in Lake Merritt in 2023. Earlier than that, 2020 proved to be a yr when the leopard sharks had been within the lake with a bigger abundance than regular.

Whereas swimming is prohibited in Lake Merritt, swimming within the San Antonio Estuary and Oakland Harbor is allowed. Each are locations the place leopard sharks may be discovered. Fortuitously, these sharks are extra afraid of people than people ought to be of them.

Leopard Sharks Are Not Recognized To Assault Folks

There has solely been one leopard shark assault in US historical past

Not like nice white or tiger sharks, that are identified to assault people after mistakenly figuring out them as prey, leopard sharks are usually not apex predators. As a substitute, they’re slow-swimming backside dwellers who usually need nothing to do with people and simply need to laze round in shallow waters in search of their smaller prey.

Leopard sharks (plural) in La Jolla, California

There has solely been one leopard shark attack recorded in US history. The yr of the assault was 1955, and it occurred in Trinidad Bay in La Jolla, California. That assault occurred as a result of the diver had a nosebleed. The leopard shark was curious and bit the diver. Fortuitously, the diver was tremendous, however this assault serves as a reminder of why it’s crucial not to enter waters the place sharks are identified to frequent when bleeding.

In reality, in areas the place leopard sharks stay and swim, many individuals dive to get a more in-depth take a look at the fantastically striped and dotted shark. So long as the sharks are left alone, they depart divers alone as effectively.

Many Marine Mammals Have Known as Lake Merritt Residence Over The Years

There are a number of species of marine life that both frequent or name Lake Merritt dwelling

Lake Merritt, California

Leopard sharks are usually not the one marine life that has made their presence identified in Lake Merritt over time. Due to the upper salinity, many marine species swim up and into Lake Merritt earlier than making their means again to the bay and, for some, the Pacific Ocean.

A few of the animals that have been spotted in Lake Merritt over the years embody:

• Sea lions
• River otters
• Bat rays
• Salmon
• Sturgeon
• Jellyfish
• Striped bass
• Spaghetti worms
• Muscle tissues
• Crabs
• Shrimp
• Clams

There are additionally 140 totally different species of birds that decision Lake Merritt dwelling due to the recreation of the marshlands that had been as soon as plentiful at Lake Merritt in particular areas across the lake which might be inaccessible to guests.

When there’s an outlet to a lake, there isn’t any telling what sea life would possibly make themselves identified. Whereas it could be scary to listen to {that a} leopard shark or extra is swimming round Lake Merritt, they’re solely there to benefit from the extra shallow, brackish waters the place a few of their favourite meals lives.

With swimming being prohibited, it’s an effective way to take pleasure in seeing sharks whereas not disturbing them of their pure atmosphere.