See How Shockingly Close a Great White Shark Gets Casual Swimmers in This Viral Video

This massive predator just wants to be a part of the fun. Watch below as a great white shark swims close to a bunch of unsuspecting beach-goers. 

The video is taken from an aerial view, looking down on a coastline with numerous swimmers, surfers, and paddleboarders alike. In the corner of the shot, the silhouette of a great white shark looms, inching toward the crowd. 

The shark quickly takes interest in someone who is on a kickboard, and it starts to swim their way. After almost reaching the person’s feet, the shark turns away quickly. In some other clips, people surf directly over the shark, almost grazing it with their feet as their pass by. 

Watch the Video Here!

Sharks Coming Close to People 

It seems as though it is a common thing for sharks to come near people, or at least to be found in areas surrounding people. So, what’s the deal with these interactions; are they looking to attack people? Are they simply interested? 

As a whole, most predatory sharks are aggressive and can be dangerous if they choose to attack you. This is especially true for great white sharks, which are known to be lethal hunting machines! 

At the end of the day, most sharks aren’t on the lookout to hunt humans. They would much rather prefer snacking on some seals, dolphins, or fish! On rare occasions, a shark may mistake a swimming human (or a human in a small watercraft) for an aquatic animal. In these instances, sharks may attack as though they were hunting. 

Sharks may also come close to people out of sheer curiosity. They are very intelligent animals, and the presence of humans in their natural habitat is sure to cause them some concern and intrigue. Lastly, if a shark is injured or sick in some sort of way, it may be more inclined to swim toward humans out of confusion and exhaustion. 

How Powerful Is a Great White Shark’s Bite? 

As deadly predators, great whites are known for their massive bite. They have around 300 teeth, which are arranged in rows throughout their mouths. Although these teeth aren’t all meant for biting and hunting, they are a testament to the great white’s power. 

In terms of force, they can bite with a strength of up to 4,000 psi, which is amazingly powerful! A shark’s bite force depends on its musculature, so smaller sharks generally have weaker bites. Likewise, due to size differences between the sexes, females can grow to have more powerful bites than males! 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Willyam Bradberry/Shutterstock.com