Marine life is flourishing in the waters around Bikini Atoll, and its shark population is no exception. Dangerous tiger sharks have also been spotted feeding in these waters. Still, divers have learned to take the gray reefs seriously, because they are curious fish quick to turn aggressive when they feel threatened. That's when the gray reef will put on a display that is the visual equivalent of the rattlesnake's rattle. It begins swimming in a circle, lowers its pectoral fins, and then arches its back in an exaggerated motion, not unlike a cornered cat.
Divers here know that when they see that behavior it's time to move away.
The next step, if the warning is ignored, is a painful bite. Thanks to the artificial reefs created by the sunken ships in Bikini lagoon, gray reef sharks are flourishing around the atoll. See for yourself in the video to the left. Discovery Communications Inc.