麻豆社

This 麻豆社 Sounds bonus episode dives into the misunderstood world of sharks - creatures more often feared than admired. While humans kill around a hundred million sharks each year, unprovoked shark attacks on humans number fewer than ten annually. They aren鈥檛 especially drawn to human blood, and what they truly deserve is our awe - from a respectful distance.

With over five hundred species, sharks range from the twelve-metre whale shark to the dwarf lanternshark, small enough to fit in a pint glass. Some swim without pause for their entire lives, living machines of motion. Others surprise us with unexpected traits: the kitefin shark glows in the dark, the porbeagle plays, and the epaulette shark has evolved to 鈥渨alk鈥� between tidal pools using its fins like legs.

But sharks are in trouble. A quarter of species are threatened, and some - like the 鈥渓ost shark鈥� - may already be extinct. Without these apex predators, marine ecosystems risk collapse. Ancient myths imagined mother sharks sheltering their young in their mouths; today, it鈥檚 up to us to protect them.

Presented and written by Katherine Rundell
Produced in Bristol for 麻豆社 Audio by Natalie Donovan