Watch a Camouflaged Great White Shark Stalk an Unsuspecting Diver

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Cameras like the GoPro have opened up the underwater world for all of us. Now, there are numerous videos shot by amateur and professional divers from oceans around the world. In these recordings, we get to see the most beautiful underwater sights but some, like this particular clip, have some scary scenes as well!

Great White Sneaks up on a Diver

In this startling footage, we see a diver preparing to enter the ocean. He is armed with what looks like a spear gun so he is obviously prepared for some fierce company. The conditions seem quite misty and the water is not at all clear. You can only see a few feet ahead of you. The diver heads off into the gloom with his spear gun in front of him.

There is a vague outline of some rocks and sea plants on the ocean floor when suddenly a great white shark appears out of nowhere, right next to the diver on his left-hand side. You can hear him call out in panic and do so again as the shark circles and returns toward him. He resurfaces as quickly as he can and alerts his colleagues with the words “White! White!”

But the shark has followed him to the surface and he cries out again as it practically bumps into him! He calls a second warning to his fellow diver and then says “He nearly ate me!” as he hauls himself back into the boat.

Hunting Techniques of the Great White Sharks

This video was captured off the coast of South Africa and has already been viewed over eight million times! However, great whites are found in oceans all over the world – their preference is for temperate, coastal waters, and open oceans. They can grow to 26 feet in length and half of all shark attacks on humans are down to them. Humans in the water need to be aware of them and take safety precautions.

This shark was able to sneak up on the diver because they are very well camouflaged in this type of water. Their skin is slate-grey which blends in with the cloudy water perfectly and it is covered in tiny teeth called denticles. Their belly, however, is white and that is how they get their name. This particular shark chose not to attack and was investigating the diver who, after all, was in its habitat.

Is it Normal for Great Whites to Approach Divers?

Although sharks do attack divers, it is not a common occurrence. Despite the fact that certain experiences can be riskier than others, professionals do not see diving with sharks as a risky endeavor.

While most sharks are wary of divers, baiting has resulted in sharks becoming more aggressive around humans over time. Sharks may mistake the approach of the diving boat and any splashing from scuba divers for food because some dive companies use fish to draw in more sharks. 

While they are often portrayed as ferocious predators, the reality is that most shark attacks on humans are not intentional. In fact, the vast majority of shark attacks on humans are cases of mistaken identity, one of the main reasons for shark attacks. Sharks are naturally curious and may mistake a diver, swimmer, or surfer for one of their natural prey. This can lead them to bite a person, only to realize they made a mistake and quickly swim away. This is often the case in areas where seals and other prey are common, and the water is murky or visibility is limited.