Huge Tarpon Engulfs an Entire Kids Arm Hanging Off a Dock

Hand-feeding massive fish while you dangle unbalanced at the edge of a dock is for adventurers only. The kid in the video at the bottom of the page does just that, narrowly misses falling in, and emerges ecstatic but not entirely unscathed.

Watch the Gasp-Worthy Video Below!

Tarpon Overview

These prehistoric fish are found in shallow coastal waters as well as in open marine waters and some freshwater environments. Tarpons have been aptly nicknamed “silver kings” because of how big they grow. They can reach an impressive eight feet long and can weigh nearly 300 pounds! In captivity, these fish are known to live up to their early sixties. This is a popular game fish in Florida — it puts up quite a fight! They are found in various places on the planet, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the western and eastern Atlantic.

Hand Feeding Giant Tarpon

Placing your hand anywhere near a fish that grows up to eight feet long and weighs hundreds of pounds sounds dangerous. Especially knowing that although tarpon have small teeth, they have been described as “needle-like.” Not only that but even their tongues are equipped with these tiny, densely packed teeth! However, in Islamorada of the Florida Keys, you can give this a try yourself! Just buy a bucket of fish, pay admission to head on the dock, and get to feed the giant tarpon!

Kid’s Arm Disappears Inside a Giant Tarpon

The video below was posted by the Viva Family on YouTube. They went out on a trip to Robbie’s Marine in Islamorada and urge viewers to visit at least once. When the video starts, there are two kids sitting on the dock. The one closest to the camera is holding a fish and looking down into the water where the giant tarpons await a treat. Sitting close to the edge, she dangles her arm over the water, the fish at the edge of her fingertips. You can see several fish swimming beneath.

She also notices a shark. Her father reassures her that the shark won’t jump up. So, she dangles the fish lower. Just then, the video moves into slow motion. You can see that although she’s looking at the tarpons in the water, the one that appears takes her by surprise. It emerges vertically from the water, directly under her arm, its mouth agape. It makes it up to her elbow before she reacts. With her entire hand still in the tarpon’s mouth, the tarpon closes and tugs at her. She tries to keep her balance as the tarpon finally lets go.   

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Daniel Smith/ via Getty Images