The shark that bit a 13-year-old boy, sending him to the hospital was most likely a Great White Shark, experts said.
Doctor Chris Lowe with the Shark Lab of California State University, Long Beach said they are genetically testing the wetsuit the boy was wearing at the time.
Dr. Lowe is using this new technique to look at the DNA of the shark. The test is currently being sent to labs in Michigan for analysis.
Andrew Nosal, a marine biologist with the University of San Diego, said based on the severity of the wounds and location of the bite it is consistent with that of a Great White Shark.
Nosal added it is extremely rare for anyone in the world to be bitten by a shark, let alone along the coast of California.
"Great white populations are increasing in Southern California and that's because they've been legally protected for the last couple of decades," said Nosal. "That's a good thing for our local ecosystem. At the same time, the human population has also grown here. That means more sharks at the beach but also more people at the beach."
Nosal said it is important to listen to lifeguards at the beach. If they tell people not to go into the water, stay away.
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"Southern California is a known nursery ground for white sharks," added Nosal. "The juveniles will move into our waters from the south as our waters get warmer. This will happen in the spring, summer and into early fall."
Dr. Lowe added the DNA tests to determine the type of shark will most likely be completed by Friday evening.
