Specifically, there are traits that allow the animal to be completely immobilized with a touch, push or rub. That means any common person can show off these tricks to their friends and tell them that they are the Beast Master.

Evolution has afforded every animal in the world the tools perfectly designed for its survival, whether it be claws, venom, horns or whatever it is that cockroaches have. But every once in a while, evolution makes a mistake and leaves a totally useless trait in an entire species. That's bad news for them, but good news for us, as it can be amusing as hell.

6 Immobilize a Shark by Rubbing its Nose

OK -- so you're underwater, and a great white is fast approaching. It's attracted by the gash in your left leg from the dolphin that swam you out here, bit you once and then left you as bait. Dolphins are the worst. Never trust a dolphin. So what do you do next?

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Well, the good news is you can "hypnotize" a shark. The bad news is that it's not easy. Here's an expert doing it:

The process involves being brave enough to stick your hand as close as possible to the toothed nightmare that is the shark's mouth and then rub its nose. As you can see, caressing a shark's nose basically makes it go to sleep. You can pretty much grab it and wave it around at your friends -- like a life-size, extremely realistic bathtub toy.

Why it Works:

For one thing, stopping a shark from moving will have the same affect, whether you do it by rubbing its nose or catching it in a net. Sharks have to keep moving to continue the oxygen flow through their gills, even during sleep. When they stop, their brain starts to shut down, basically blacking out from lack of oxygen. So in reality, they are not so much hypnotized as they are half dead.

Via pbs.org

"He's not moving. I think he likes it."

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Why does rubbing the nose work? Well, the nose is a particularly sensitive part of the shark and the sensation of rubbing the tip just feels nice to them. Nice enough that they'll face death to feel it. That distracts them from the fact that they're no longer moving/breathing, and they sort of pass out. And there you go! You and a friend can now go hypnotize a couple of great whites and have shark slap fights!*