If you've ever wondered what it's really like to swim alongside sharks, why they're critical to healthy oceans or whether they're as dangerous as movies make them seem, this Shark Week special is for you.
Premiering at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 1, the special features USA TODAY's Cody Godwin, a shark enthusiast, as she shares a conversation with shark expert Josh Blaylock, as they take you inside the world of sharks through live aquarium feeds, incredible underwater footage and unforgettable stories from years of working with marine animals.
Blaylock spent a decade at Georgia Aquarium as a sea lion trainer and helped design its Predators of the Deep shark exhibit. Throughout the conversation, he debunks common shark myths, explains why sharks
are among the ocean's most misunderstood animals and shares firsthand stories from diving with some of the world's most fascinating species.
From whale sharks and sand tiger sharks to great white encounters, shark conservation and the lasting impact of Jaws, the hourlong special explores the science, stories and surprises behind some of the ocean's most iconic predators. Watch the premiere below, or come back anytime to watch on demand after it concludes.
Throughout the conversation, you'll also get an up-close look at sharks from multiple aquariums and underwater experiences, including the Tennessee Aquarium's Secret Reef exhibit, where sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and colorful reef fish swim through a 618,000-gallon habitat.
Along the way, Blaylock shares inside information about great white sharks, whale sharks, shark behavior, conservation, Jaws and what it's really like to work alongside some of the ocean's most fascinating animals.
"They're big, they're cool looking, they're really toothy," Blaylock said of sand tiger sharks. "But when you kind of flip it, they're just relaxed and swimming."
He also explains why sharks are far more important than many people realize.
"If you like seafood, you want sharks in the ocean," Blaylock said. "Healthy shark populations mean healthy fish populations."
Watch the full show below to explore the world of sharks through incredible footage, expert insights and answers to the questions people ask most.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shark myths debunked: Inside the world of sharks
