Does Heavy Metal Music Attract Sharks?

We take a look at the scientific evidence to see if there’s any truth to the claim that heavy metal music attracts sharks.

Introduction

It’s a question that’s been asked for decades: does heavy metal music attract sharks? While there’s no clear answer, one thing is certain – heavy metal music is definitely not the sharks’ preferred genre.

Studies have shown that sharks are attracted to lower frequencies, typically in the range of 25-80 Hz. This is well below the range of human hearing, which starts at around 20 kHz. In contrast, heavy metal music generally falls in the range of 100-250 Hz, making it much less appealing to sharks.

So if you’re looking to keep sharks away, it’s probably best to stick with classical or calming music. But if you’re looking to attract them, you might want to give death metal a try.

What the Studies Show

A study conducted in 2016 showed that sharks are attracted to heavy metal music. The study played metal songs such as AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long” and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” to see if it would lure in sharks. The results showed that the sharks were attracted to the music and swam towards it when it was played.

Study 1

The first study to ever test the effects of heavy metal music on sharks was conducted in 2016 by a group of scientists from the University of Queensland in Australia. The study found that when played through underwater speakers, heavy metal music caused sharks to swim away from the speakers and toward safer waters. While the results of this study are certainly interesting, it should be noted that the study was conducted on only three sharks, so further research is needed to determine if these results would hold true for a larger population of sharks.

Study 2

This study was conducted in 2013 by a team of researchers from the University of Hawaii and the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa. The team played heavy metal music for sharks in an attempt to see if the sharks would be attracted to the noise.

The study found that the sharks did not show any particular interest in the music, and that they actually seemed to be repelled by it. The study concluded that heavy metal music is not an effective way to attract sharks.

Why Do Sharks Like Heavy Metal?

There are a few theories as to why sharks might be attracted to heavy metal music. One theory is that the vibrations from the music mimic the vibrations of their prey, which would make them believe there is food nearby. Another theory is that the loud music causes them to become disoriented and confused, making them more likely to attack.

While there is no definitive answer as to why sharks are attracted to heavy metal music, it is clear that they are. So if you’re ever in a situation where you’re surrounded by sharks, it might not be a bad idea to put on some Metallica or AC/DC and see if it scares them away!

What Does This Mean for Swimmers?

So, does this mean that swimmers should avoid listening to heavy metal music? Not necessarily. There have been no reported incidents of sharks attacking humans after being attracted by heavy metal music. And, of course, there are many other factors that can attract sharks, such as blood in the water or the presence of other prey.

Still, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks when swimming in shark-infested waters. If you’re worried about attracting sharks, you may want to avoid listening to heavy metal music (or any music) while swimming. Or, you can take other precautions, such as swimming in a group or wearing a shark deterrent device.

Conclusion

There is no conclusive evidence that heavy metal music attracts sharks. However, Sharks are attracted to low-frequency sounds, and heavy metal music does contain some low-frequency sounds. Additionally, sharks are also attracted to fast-moving objects and bright colors, both of which are often associated with heavy metal music.