Of the two basic wound patterns seen on Sable Island seals, these (termed "slash" wounds in the Sable study) are similar to those observed on pinnipeds attacked by sharks in other areas - such as California, Hawaii, and South Africa. The slash wound pattern may be anything from a single cut with a few associated tooth punctures, to a set of cuts, punctures and missing tissue very clearly showing the bite or bites of the attacking shark. Some slash wounds are severe and fatal, others are only minor `flesh wounds'.