Is it true that a shark can smell a drop of blood from a mile away?

Sharks have an excellent sense of smell. They may do so because of their nostrils or nares, which are located beneath their snouts. The nares are just there to smell, not to breathe. Even though the chances of being killed by sharks are only one in three million, the dread of the predator is rising. Because of the movie industry and popular culture, many believe sharks can smell a little drop of blood from miles away. Sorry to burst your bubble, but this "fact" is simply false. Sharks indeed have a high sense of smell, although popular belief about it is overblown.

Some sharks can smell your blood from a quarter-mile away, but it takes time for the stench to reach them. Scents travel via the currents to reach a shark, and it takes time for the aroma to reach the shark's nose. It is also affected by the motion of the ocean. The faster it is, the faster the scent will go to or away from the shark.

If you are hurt and bleed while swimming in the water, you have plenty of time to swim safely to the beach before any shark decides to strike. However, if you are still concerned about being attacked by the predator, you should be aware that, contrary to popular opinion. Sharks are not very fond of human flesh; in fact, they are picky eaters. Lemon sharks, for example, enjoy eating bony fish, crabs, and mollusks. They may eat seabirds and small sharks. Humans, on the other hand, are not even on their menu.