This year kicked off with a rough start at Sunset Beach in North Carolina when a swimmer reportedly was bitten by a shark in the shallow waters.
However, once the police arrived and investigated the incident, they found the man wasn’t bitten by a shark, but they have no idea what kind of animal it actually was.
The Supposed Shark Bite
It was a fun day for all at Sunset Beach on January 18, 2024, at least until a 20-year-old man came out of the water saying he had just been bitten by a shark.
There were, in fact, lacerations on his lower leg, so the police were immediately called to ensure the water was cleared and no one else got hurt.
The Sunset Beach Police Told the Man It Wasn’t a Shark
However, when the police arrived, they took one look at the wound on his leg and immediately knew that no shark would leave that kind of a mark.
Sunset Beach Police Chief Ken Klamar explained, “It appears the injustice was caused by some sort of sea life. It is unknown what exactly caused the injury. There’s no way to tell what it was.”
Trying to Find Out What Really Happened
But since they couldn’t define exactly what kind of animal had bitten him, the police labeled the incident a “sea life attack,” treated his wound, and filed the necessary report.
While that could have been the end of it, the Sunset Beach Police Department decided they wanted to at least try to figure out what did hurt the young man.
Sunset Beach Police Do Have a Theory
Sunset Beach’s Police Chief Ken Klamar told the press afterward that while his team immediately noticed “the laceration did not look like a bite,” they weren’t able to say right away what it did look like.
Then, after looking more closely at the wound and discussing it amongst themselves, the police believe they have a working theory as to what hurt the swimmer.
The “Shark” May Have Actually Been a Stingray
Chief Klamar explained that during the initial interview with the victim, he told an officer that “he stepped on something ‘flat,’ and then felt the pain of being injured.”
This information, as well as the laceration itself, has led the police to believe the young man accidentally stepped on a stingray. Klamar said the stingray must have “injured the victim with its tail.”
Stingrays Are Quite Common in North Carolina Waters
Aside from the obvious clues, such as the swimmer’s statement and the laceration itself, the main reason why the Sunset Beach police believe the “bite” may have come from a stingray is because they are quite common in North Carolina waters.
In fact, there are four different species of stingray that live in the shallow Atlantic waters around the southern state; the Atlantic Stingray being the most common.
What Is a Stingray?
Stingrays are truly majestic fish. While they are like cousins to sharks, they are extremely different both in how they look and how they act.
While the many different species of stingrays each have their own characteristics, generally, stingrays are large, flat, and have a long tail that is topped with either one, two, or three blades. These blades can be used to attack if they feel threatened.
What Happens When a Stingray Stings You?
Stingrays are usually not aggressive and only attack humans when provoked. However, if they are stepped on or are protecting their young, they may use the blades on their tails to attack.
The blades are extremely sharp and will immediately slice the skin, but it’s the venom within the blades that is the most dangerous. It can cause extensive pain, swelling, and muscle cramps as it spreads through the body.
Stingray Injuries Are Not Very Common
Fortunately, because stingrays are generally peaceful animals, there are very few recorded stingray injuries throughout the United States.
In fact, according to the National Capital Poison Center, only 1,500 to 2,000 stingray-related injuries occur each year. And the majority of these injuries are considered minor, not severe.
Fatal Stingray Attacks Are Even More Infrequent
It’s also important to note that only 20 people have died from stingray attacks since 1945.
The venom is not fatal; therefore, the only way for a person to lose their life during a stingray attack is if the blade pieces the heart, brain, or a vital vein. Since stingrays only attack when stepped on, this is extremely uncommon.
Stay Safe in the Ocean This Summer
Luckily, the man on Sunset Beach in North Carolina made a full recovery after his mysterious attack. However, the story does remind us that it’s exceptionally important to be aware of our surroundings in the ocean.
This summer, make sure to keep an eye out for marine life when swimming, even in extremely shallow waters. You never know what could be swimming alongside you.
