In October 2015, a surfer was bitten on the foot at Deerfield Beach north of Fort Lauderdale. Shark attacks increased around the world in 2021 following three consecutive years of decline, according to a report released in January. Fort Lauderdale Beach is one of the beaches near Miami with the most shark attacks. Key Biscayne, a beach near Miami, played host to a non-fatal shark attack on an adult man in April of 2021. That means that, without them, the entire oceanic food web would collapse. Indeed the sharks in Fort Lauderdale Beach have far more to fear from us. some of Floridas beaches are among the best in the world for finding fossilized shark teeth. CTV National News Los Angeles Bureau Chief, Ryan Flanagan Some notable cases in recent years are: In May of 2016, a nurse. His mother said he is still in shock and that he wants to warn other swimmers to be careful, to be aware of their surroundings and to check with lifeguards to see if it is safe to swim. However, the tiger should be taken very seriously if seen as, after the great white and the bull shark, it is considered one of the most dangerous sharks in the ocean. Murdaugh Murders Timeline: Investigations, Deaths and the Collapse of a Powerful South Carolina Family, 8-Year-Old Arkansas Boy Raises More Than $65K for His Favorite Waffle House Waiter, Who Walks Miles to Work, Bryan Kohberger Decries 'Pervasive and Grotesquely Twisted Nature' of Idaho Murders Coverage in Court Document, Family Discovers Kentucky Vacation Rental House Has Secret Underground Bunker and Was Site of Grisly Murder, Lindsay Clancy: Timeline of Events in the Case of Massachusetts Mom Accused of Killing Her 3 Children, Fiance of Slain Orlando TV Reporter Plans to Have His Baby After Harvesting His Sperm Post-Mortem. The remaining hammerheads are only rarely seen as they prefer to stick to deeper water. This is the third shark attack bite in Florida in the past two weeks. Many people asking, are there sharks in Fort Lauderdale are really wondering if there are great white sharks. The marks on her foot appeared to be a shark bite, although the shark was not actually seen, officials said. Brevard, Miami-Dade and St. Lucie counties had two each. March 30, 2021 Kevin McMurray A 7-year-old boy is recovering after being bitten by a shark in Fort Lauderdale, while half a world away, a young Australian spearfisherman was transported to hospital after a shark encounter. The largest fish in the world, the whale shark, is occasionally seen in waters off Fort Lauderdale. Going back further, a roughly eight-foot-long great hammerhead nipped the toe of a spearfisher in Fort Lauderdale in July 2003. To investigate shark attacks in Fort Lauderdale, we consulted the International Shark Attack File (ISAF). It took them an hour and a half to reel in the shark, and it was estimated to weigh over 1,000 pounds (450 kg) and was at least 16 feet (4.8m) long. Christian Mariani was swimming in knee-deep water near Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Wednesday morning when he felt something grab his foot. However, to reduce your risk of a shark attack, you can follow these rules: Many shark species live naturally in the waters off Fort Lauderdale, and incidents involving people are extremely rare. CORRECTION (June 28, 2017, 11:39 p.m. Its a dramatic spike, but its not yet cause for alarm, said Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum of Natural Historys shark research program. Witnesses told ABC affiliate WPLG that two sharks were spotted just off the beach near Sunrise Boulevard around 1 p.m. local time. Blacktip sharks arent actually all that large, generally reaching about five or six feet. Fort Lauderdale Beach is one of the beaches near Miami with the most shark attacks. Swimmers or paddlers, however, are unlikely to encounter this impressive but mostly harmless shark. Neither species has been known to have bitten anyone in Florida. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. A paddleboarder was bitten by a shark Friday in the first reported bite of 2021 in Volusia County. "The fear of not knowing what bit you and what's going to happen to your foot after that is the scariest feeling that I think I've ever experienced in my life.". Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae7b3ce66edf8a0b6ea092190594bcbd" );document.getElementById("ha6e1bc81c").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Dan loves inspiring safe, fun, and environmentally responsible diving and particularly enjoys the opportunity to dive with sharks or investigate local shipwrecks. Seventeen happened in 2021. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Its almost like my brain didnt fully process it, because its something Ive never felt before, Albert said. Several smaller shark species are also found in the area, including various dogfishes. Zero provoked and zero fatal. The only danger this plankton-eating giant presents to anyone lucky enough to see one is if they get too close and the shark accidentally wacks them with its massive tail. The beautiful fish swam off unharmed. A similar shark sighting was reported near the shore of Fort Lauderdale Beach in April. Tiger sharks are the cause of just 2% of all recorded bites in the whole of Florida. Although it is a skillful predator, and known for being curious and even aggressive toward scuba divers, no bites have ever been recorded in Florida. Also, stay out of the water at dawn and dusk, as these are prime feeding times for sharks. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. Lets take a look at the six beaches near Miami with the most shark attacks. The bite left a gaping wound in the little boys hand.Three days earlier, 20-year-old college student Bryce Albert was also attacked by a 6-foot blacktip shark in Palm Beach and underwent emergency surgery. Its such a different feeling. MIAMI (WSVN) - Two separate shark attacks that took place a day apart off the coast of Florida left a woman and a teenage girl with serious injuries. This is likely because more people go into the water at this time of year than at any other. Volusia, Brevard and Palm Beach County have seen the most unprovoked attacks since 1882. Beachgoers enjoy swimming, watersports, and surf-casting, while paddlers and boaters might well be sampling the world-class sportfishing from inshore estuaries and canals to the bluewater realm out to sea. A 7-year-old boy is recovering after being bitten by a shark in Fort Lauderdale, while half a world away, a young Australian spearfisherman was transported to hospital after a shark encounter. This compared to 7 total bites in Hawaii and only 3 in California. Surgeons on Friday reconstructed J.J.s hand tissue and tendons. the most potentially dangerous of the sharks, one of the most dangerous sharks in the ocean, great white sharks pass through the deep water in the area. He received 17 stitches. Grace said surgeons measured the wound size and the depth of the teeth marks, and they determined that it was a shark bite, especially since it ripped through the boys tendons. by Anagha Srikanth | June 22, 2021 | Jun. Jessica Vaughn, 22, was swimming on her back with friends in Florida's Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale Sunday when a suspected bull shark grabbed her from behind. A small shark bit the leg of a 22-year-old woman tubing in the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. -- Shark sightings near the shore of Florida's Fort Lauderdale Beach on Friday prompted lifeguards in the area to briefly evacuate the waters. Sharks live naturally in the Atlantic Ocean, including in the waters of Fort Lauderdale. There were 32 reported unprovoked shark attacks in U.S. waters in 2018, down from the previous five-year average of 53. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. According to reports, as the boy was swimming, a school of fish swam by him. (MORE: 9-year-old girl bitten in apparent shark . He was transported to the hospital, but his injuries were non-life threatening. (Types, Photos & Attacks), Are There Sharks in Brazil? (Types, Photos & Attacks), Are There Sharks in Jekyll Island, GA? The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Only one other country in the world, Australia with 18, had more attacks than Florida in 2020. Brice Albert, 20, was bitten on the arm March 18 while swimming off Juno Beach Pier. There have been 19 shark attacks in Miami-Dade county since 1882. The majority of shark bites worldwide in 2021 happened to people surfing or participating in board sports, according to the museum's International Shark Attack File, while people swimming. His travels have taken him to Puerto Vallarta, Costa Rica, Spain, and the Dominican Republic, but he's happiest at home with his wife, two daughters, and dog. The Orlando Sentinel reported the woman was transported for medical treatment as a precaution. There have been 896 shark attacks in Florida since 1837, only 19 of which occurred near Miami. When not spending time underwater, Dan can usually be found biking and hiking in Sharm's desert surroundings. Shark conservation is one of the most important aspects of global conservation today. Miami, FL 33141 All rights reserved, Humane Society of Broward County Kicks Off VCA Walk for the Animals in Fort Lauderdale, BSO Searching forMissing 11-Year-Old Girl From Pompano Beach, From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe, Check Your Change! This magnificent beastnamed for the body striping that fades with ageis the biggest of all requiem sharks, known to reach the better part of 20 feet long and more than a ton in weight. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. So if youre planning a trip, or even if youre a local, lets break it down: Are there sharks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? Since 1882, there have been 320 unprovoked shark attacks in Volusia County, as many as the next four Florida counties combined. Sharks have swum the waters off the Florida coast for millions of years. Jackson Howson, who is in his 20s, was spearfishing off Coral Bay March 27 when a shark grabbed for the same fish Howson had just speared but bit Howsons hand. Unprovoked shark attacks jumped to 73 in 2021, which is up from 52 the year prior. The Fort Lauderdale area, and indeed the whole southeastern coast of the U.S., supports a globally significant and impressively varied stock of sharks. Consistent with long-term trends, the United States recorded the most unprovoked shark bites in 2022, with 41 confirmed cases. Sharks may be scary, especially if youre visiting one of the beaches near Miami with the most shark attacks. Yes, they had the flags saying the creatures were around, but what kind? April 3, 2021. While Florida sees a relatively large number of shark attacks compared to other U.S. states, shark encounters are still quite rare. Third fatal shark attack of 2023 occurs in New Caledonia, Teen killed in second fatal shark attack of 2023, Man fights off shark attack with diving knife, Woman recovering after shark bite in California, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCHA2iMEZ-E&ab_channel=TrackingSharks. Suddenly, the boys mother said, he saw what he thought was a brown fish. Speaking from his hospital bed on a cellphone video, the boy, who is in a lot pain, has no doubt as to what bit him. The much more diminutive Atlantic sharpnose shark is also in the requiem family, and one of a number of little sharksincluding various dogfishesnative to this coastal zone. Fridays incident in Volusia is not out of the ordinary. These are not considered a bite risk due to their diminutive size. Blacktips are members of the shark family Carcharhinidae: the so-called requiem sharks that serve as some of the oceans most important top-level predators, and include many of the larger shark species. In fact, some of Floridas beaches are among the best in the world for finding fossilized shark teeth. The 64-year-old local resident was bitten on the foot while sitting on her paddleboard in about 8 to 10 feet of water off the coast of New Smyrna Beach, according to officials with the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. How Deep Is The Ocean Floor In Each Ocean? The most recently recorded incident in the Global Shark Attack File (GSAF) happened on the 25th of March, 2021, when a young swimmer visiting Fort Lauderdale Beach was bitten on the hand. A paddleboarder was bitten by a shark Friday in the first reported bite of 2021 in Volusia County. Most victims were either swimming, wading, kayaking, surfing, or paddleboarding. Their yellow-colored skin, which camouflages against the sandy bottom, makes them easy to accidentally tread on and get bitten defensively in return. I just want him to be able to move his hand. The headline is that since the records began in 1882, there have only been 16 unprovoked shark attacks in Broward County, Florida. Fort Lauderdale, on the southeastern coast of Florida, is the capital of Broward County. It is advisable to avoid the water at dusk and dawn and whenever you see baitfish or birds diving into the water. The Sunshine State has seen 900-odd unprovoked shark attacks since 1837, according to the (Florida-based) International Shark Attack File (ISAF). Fort Lauderdale is known for fun and adventure on, or in the ocean. This is lower than the 47 incidents that occurred in the U.S. in 2021. They are also the prime suspect in the 36% of all unprovoked bites where the shark isnt definitively known. (Blacktips will breach as well, though, so it can be tough to tell which flashy little requiem shark you saw going airborne.). Always swim, surf, or wade with a buddy. First, never go into the water alone. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. As he was swimming in the shallows, a large school of fish swam toward the boy and a large brown fish bit his right hand. (Types, Photos & Attacks), Are There Sharks in Bali? According to the Monroe County Sheriff's. With the help of Good Samaritans who assisted his girlfriend with the boat, he was taken to shore around 12:15 p.m. So, well tell you all about the different sharks found in Fort Lauderdale and give you the low down on some of the incidents. A surfer in 2015 off Deerfield Beach was bitten on the foot by an estimated five-foot-long spinner shark. Speaking at a press conference later in the day, Mariani said he wasn't sure the shark meant to harm him. Adcock, who filmed the scene at around 3:30 p.m., said the sharks were about 5 to 7 feet in length. By TERRY SPENCER and FRANK BAJAK April 1, 2021. Spinner sharks have been responsible for 9% of the unprovoked bites in Florida. Ultimately, so long as youre not taking part in any unreasonable, provocative behavior, theres no need to worry. All Rights Reserved. All locations have been marked on the 2021 Shark Attack Map. 20-Year-Old College Student Gets Nearly 100 Stitches After Shark Attack On Juno Beach March 24, 2021 / 10:14 PM / CBS Miami MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A college student's day at a Florida beach ended. FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A young boy underwent surgery to his hand after he was bitten while swimming off Fort Lauderdale Beach, and doctors believe the animal responsible was a. At the other end of the hammerhead size scale, the bonnethead is a pintsized shark often three to five feet or so long. Theyre also known for occasional attacks on humans, thoughlike the bull shark and other potentially dangerous speciesthey mostly steer clear of us. The nurse shark is the most commonly seen in Florida but is responsible for only 2% of unprovoked bites. What Sharks Are There in Fort Lauderdale, and Do They Bite? WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp JJ Sousa, 7, was the latest victim. However, Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue said it could have been a more narrow fish like a barracuda. The incident comes one day after a 54-year-old man was bitten on the leg while swimming at Disneys Vero Beach Resort. The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ocean, Dont swim where people are swimming, including spearfishing, Dont swim where you see large schools of fish, Dont take any food or bait into the water, Dont wear jewelry, as this may look like a fishes scales to a shark, Dont go in the water at dawn or dusk or for an hour after or before, Follow the instructions of lifeguards and take note of warning flags. Thank you for reading! Spinner sharks get their name for their habit of spinning through the waters surface as they hunt baitfish in the shallows. A video of three sharks thrashing close to the shore of a Florida beach is going viral. The shark is frequently caught by anglers fishing for other species, such as yellowtail snapper. Adcock's video has been shared more than 25,000 times on Facebook so far. Shark attacks near Miami and in all of Florida happen more in July, August, and September than in any other month. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theyve never been involved in a shark bite incident. If youre planning a trip to this part of Florida, you might be wondering about safety in the ocean and, in particular, if there are sharks in Fort Lauderdale. But, theyre also incredibly important to the ecological health of our oceans. Fort Lauderdales beaches are safe to swim in as long as common sense precautions are followed. winter storm, Southern Ontario digs out of snowstorm, snowfall warnings still in effect for parts of Eastern Canada, Woman missing more than 30 years and thought to be dead found living in Puerto Rico nursing home, AI model can detect Alzheimers disease with over 90 per cent accuracy, new research finds, Bus with 40 children crashes in French Alps; 21 injured, 'I had to get over here and help': 3 incredible acts of compassion by Canadians in Ukraine, Rosenberg says foreign interference inquiry should be 'on the table': Read the full interview, 'I don't not love Winnipeg' Michael B. Jordan tells Kimmel, Cleaning expert shows the best way to load your dishwasher, Why Harry and Meghan were asked to leave their U.K. home, Second chance at love leads to a Hong Kong prison, Harry and Meghan asked to leave Frogmore Cottage, CTV National News: Arrest made in art fraud case. Three sharks were captured . Heather West said she was enjoying a snorkeling trip back in January and was unaware of . The culprit is believed to be a black tip shark. The little blacknose shark, which rarely reaches much more than four feet long, is named for the dark splotch on the tip of its snout, more noticeable in juveniles. — -- Shark sightings near the shore of Floridas Fort Lauderdale Beach on Friday prompted lifeguards in the area to briefly evacuate the waters. Maps and data on shark attacks and general shark news. He said hell never go back to the beach, said his mother. Now hes in surgery.. This was the first shark attack Gollan was aware of in Fort Lauderdale this year. Fortunately, the victim was quickly released from the hospital after surgery and fully recovered. Fort Lauderdale is also often called the Venice of America because of its 300 miles (482 km) of inland waterways. Another witness, Jimmy Douglas, was on the beach when one of the sharks swam by and captured the moment on video, which was obtained by WPLG. Great whites are the largest members of the shark order Lamniformes, also called the mackerel sharks. Okaloosa County has seen three unprovoked attacks since 1882, making the sighting somewhat rare. The public may view the reports by going to WSVN.com and clicking on "FCC Public File", or by visiting the FCC's website at FCC.org. Miami-Dade County has seen 15 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks since 1882, according to the University of Florida. The victim was an adult man standing in the water fishing. Remember, sharks are essential members of the ocean ecosystem and have vastly more to fear from humankind than the other way around. Listen and subscribe to get a daily fix on the latest political news and issues. Although they eat small fish and crustaceans, theyre also the only shark that eats plants and will happily munch on seagrass. Here, well learn a few key steps to reduce your risk of attack when enjoying the beaches near Miami with the most shark attacks. The bonnethead shark is a small species of hammerhead shark thats timid and, accordingly, rarely seen by people at the beach. Whenever people go into the water, theyre entering the sharks home. (Types, Photos & Attacks), Are There Sharks in Aruba? Nine-year-old Jay Weiskopf was bitten on the shoulder near Second Street in South Beach on Sunday while visiting from Minnesota. The bite occurred in New Smryna Beach in Volusia County, Florida, home to Daytona Beach and the recognized shark-bite capital of America. Broward County was one of several that reported just one shark attack. A check-in on the public mood of Canadians with hosts Michael Stittle and Nik Nanos. The shark may have been provoked by the presence of the watercraft. Similar in size and appearance to blacktips, spinners can be distinguished by their black-marked anal fin and a dorsal fin positioned farther back. Why This Quaint Hidden Gem Ski Destination Is Perfect For A Last-Minute March Getaway, 5 Unique Places In Northern Greece You Need To Visit, The Napa Valley Of The Midwest The Small German Town That Plans To Take On An Icon, Peak Cherry Blossom Dates Released For Washington, D.C. When The National Park Service Says You Should Visit, 10 Amazing U.S. National Parks That Promise Fewer Crowds The Least Visited Spots In 2022, This Expedition Cruise Ship To Sail Where No Cruise Ship Has Gone Before, Top 10 Most Visited U.S. National Park Sites In 2022 The 2 Unique Spots That Topped The List, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our. So if you are visiting, put on your sunscreen and enjoy the beaches as many millions of others do each year safely. Three provoked and 3 fatal. Unfortunately, some swimmers will try and touch these sharks as they seem quite docile sitting on the bottom. Department of Fisheries representatives believe a bronze whaler or bull shark was responsible for the attack that occurred offshore about 750 km of 500 to 1000 south of Warroora Station. There Are Sharks In La Jolla, And You Can Swim With Them, The 8 Best Marine Biologist Programs In The US. 1401 79th Street Causeway At this time of year, you have huge numbers of sharks right down here at the same time that we have lots of spring breakers in the water as well, Stephen Kajiura, professor of biological sciences at Florida Atlantic University, said at the time of the three attacks. Half of the Florida incidents occurred in Volusia. There's a bigger one.' In August 2019, an 11-year-old boy was bitten on the foot while wading at the beach. Sharks are apex predators and keystone species. These include offshore pelagics as well as sharks haunting seagrass beds, mangrove ecosystems, and the coral gardens that, in Fort Lauderdales waters, form the northeastern edge of South Floridas extensive reef system. Because this shark can tolerate freshwater and has a rather brave nature, it is known to enter the Fort Lauderdale waterways, often attracted by waste dumped by anglers or seafood restaurants. Twenty-eight shark attack bites have been reported in Florida in 2021. Witnesses told ABC affiliate WPLG that two sharks were spotted just off the beach near Sunrise Boulevard around 1 p.m. local time. are members of the family Carcharhinidae. ET):An earlier version of this story stated Stephanie Adcock was visiting Florida from Arizona. It's cable reimagined No DVR. Mako sharks are responsible for only 1% of known bites in Florida. "I know that it's a very low chance to get bitten by a shark," he said. Two other incidents in the file are marked as provoked as they involved shark fishing, and the bite took place when the shark was either netted or hooked. Reaching about 11 feet or so, lemon sharks prey not only on smaller sharks but also rays, crabs, and just about anything else they can get their robust jaws around. Stick close to shore, and never swim in areas where people are actively fishing. There's a bigger one.' Bull sharks hunt everything from crustaceans and fish to seabirds and dolphins, and are ranked among the most potentially dangerous sharks. The. No fatal attacks are known from Broward. The 41 cases represent 72% of the worldwide total. In Hawaii, a swimmer was forced to fight off Thomas Butterfield was killed in a shark attack off An avid waterman is healing after being attacked by To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. The boys mother, Grace Sousa, said her son saw a school of fish while swimming in shallow water. They migrate into deeper waters as well as southward during winter, as theyre intolerant of cold. The evacuation only lasted about 30 minutes, but some beach-goers were hesitant to return to the surf. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Spinner sharks are named for their habit of leapingsometimes corkscrewingout of the water as they chase baitfish into shallow waters: a pretty darn awesome sight if you happen to catch it while sunbathing or shelling on an area beach. It was a big brown fish coming up to him, bit his hand, took a chunk of tissue and left him all bitten, she said. Shark Attacks: The Database Countries United States of America Florida Shark attack data for Florida, United States of America Timeline of unprovoked incidents since 1900 Unprovoked counts Provoked/invalid/sea disaster/boating counts Attacks No incidents match the current filter settings. Hes in shock. The most recent attack took place in March of 2021 and involved a seven-year-old victim. How common are shark attacks in Ft. Lauderdale? Alden Duffield, who is visiting from Tennessee, witnessed crews rush the 36-year-old man to shore. Christian Mariani was swimming in knee-deep water near Fort . Fort Lauderdale is one of the bustling anchors of southeastern Floridas Gold Coast and the Greater Miami area. Blacktips are migrating this time of year and can come close to shore as they are searching for or chasing fish. CTVNews.ca Producer. Their importance to the food chain and to the overall health of the marine ecosystem cannot be understated. Theyre also more innocently accidentally trodden on. Besides the pattern of its hide, the tiger shark is distinguished by its blocky-looking head and broad jaws, studded with asymmetrical serrated teeth. He was swimming at a Fort Lauderdale beach when he was bitten. Something that is going to take your arm off and leave you handicapped?. Mariani was not seriously injured. Volusia and Brevard counties have the highest number of attacks in the Sunshine State. Her sons friend emerged from the water winded and freaked out, but uninjured after Don helped him out of the water. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The marine creature had chomped on his right hand. Jay Weiskopf, 9, was bitten on the shoulder in the shallows of Miami Beach March 21. Boaters catch, release great white shark off Fort Lauderdale; . Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. The culprit is reported to be a 4-5 foot long shark of unknown species. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Mar 23, 2021 at 3: . The bite occurred in New Smryna Beach in Volusia County, Florida, home to Daytona Beach and the recognized shark-bite capital of America. A 9-year-old boy from Minnesota was treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital after a shark attack on Sunday in South Beach. Avoid wearing jewelry, or bright, high-contrast colors, as these attract sharks. Although some sharks may come quite close to the shore, theyre just getting on with their lives and will usually only come in contact with people by accident. My son went to the water to swim with his cousins, and he said he saw a big pile of fish coming up, she said. The sandbar lives year-round in the waters around Fort Lauderdale and is responsible for 7% of the areas bites. Blacktip sharks are common on the east coast of Florida and are directly identified as responsible for 15% of all bites.