Is the Kodiak shark real or fake? Viral discovery in Lake Michigan claim debunked
Several videos have been going viral on social media claiming the discovery of a giant freshwater species, called Kodiak Shark. In the videos, particularly on TikTok, users are claiming that these Kodiak Sharks are 65-foot-long species, which are reportedly found in Lake Michigan.
The viral video has also made claims about the freshwater-only species leaving many injured, with multiple people getting their treatment done at Michigan Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital. The users have alleged that these sharks are black in color, and are extremely dangerous to humankind.
As multiple videos talking about the Kodiak Shark went viral on social media, it left many netizens and the residents of the area frightened, and wanting to know more about the deadly creature.
However, contrary to the claims made by social media, Times Now reported that Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital’s spokesperson, Amanda Klingbail, came forward and denied all the viral claims.
In a statement, Amanda Klingbail denied having any record of “shark attack patients.” At the same time, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer, there have been no mentions of “Kodiak Shark” in Lake Michigan. As per Snopes, the representative stated:
"No 'Kodiak shark' has been found in Lake Michigan."
Hence, there is no evidence of sharks' presence inside Lake Michigan. The news being shared about Kodiak Shark being found in the lake is false and untrue.
Moreover, there have been no recent updates about shark bites, therefore, the claims about several people being bitten by the species are also fake.
Kodiak shark is not real: Details about the three most deadly sharks of the US explored
As the news about the sharks being found in Lake Michigan continues to leave the residents disturbed, Snopes reported that there has been no mention of the shark on the Shark Research Institute, which leaves room for the fact that there might be no shark by the name.
Furthermore, since several videos have made claims about the Kodiak Sharks being enormous and dangerous, it is worth noting that How Stuff Works claimed that it is the Great White Shark which has been proven to be the most deadly, partially because of their size.
As of now, it has attacked hundreds of people in the US and can be identified by their huge size, as these sharks can be up to 21 feet long, and weigh no less than 4,500 pounds.
However, the website claims that most surfers and divers should not be worried about these sharks as they are usually found in the depths of the water, and seeing them can be a rare chance.
Furthermore, Tiger Sharks are considered next in the most dangerous sharks list, as these have razor-sharp teeth, are 15-18 feet in length, and weigh about 2,000 pounds. They can be identified by their dark stripes, which are usually vertical. However, these stripes tend to fade in the more mature sharks.
The third on the list is the Bull Shark, which has also left about 120 people dead in the country, as per data on ISAF. Known for their aggression, these sharks are 10-12 feet in length when they mature, and can be 200-500 pounds in weight.
While there have been many instances of shark bites, it is worth noting that as of now, there has been no proof about Kodiak Sharks being in Lake Michigan. Hence, one should be extremely cautious about what they are sharing on social media, as it can be misleading to the masses.