Wilson explained that if a sea star lost an arm, it could regrow it. Also, the severed arm could grow a whole new animal if left alone. A plastic shark became a stand-in for the sea's most feared predator. Wilson explained that most of that fear was unfounded, however. It's extremely rare to be attacked by sharks.
Most sharks are afraid of people.
More people are hurt by dogs and soda machines falling on them. Wilson also noted that punching sharks in the nose is not a sure-fire way to end an attack. While the shark's head is sensitive to pain, it might circle and resume the attack after several minutes. He added that there are types of sharks that sleep, contrary to the rumor that they are always awake. Students will do observations of the tank and its inhabitants during that time and record those observations in a journal each week.