Watch a Great White Shark Turn the Tables and Protect a Diver from Hungry Tiger Sharks

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In the video at the bottom of this page, a diver recounts an insane encounter in the deep blue sea just off the Aliwal Shoal in South Africa. Using the cover of a great white shark, he discovers the power of the underwater pecking order. He manages to stay safe from hungry, aggressive tiger sharks and lives to tell the tale (and share the footage) of the extraordinary events that day.

Is It Normal for Tiger Sharks to Attack Humans?

Tiger sharks are known for their aggression toward humans, with about three or four attacks occurring every year off the coasts of Hawaii. This is quite an intimidating shark, ranked as the 4th biggest shark species throughout the entire globe. It’s characterized not just by its aggressive nature but also by the tiger-like stripes that litter its body during the juvenile stage.

Tiger sharks are carnivores, feasting on meaty food sources like crabs, fish, squid, dolphins, and sometimes even other sharks. They can even crunch through crustaceans and sea turtles with ease, using their broad, serrated teeth. Constantly on the move, the tiger shark is in a continuous hunting state. In their relentless attempts to feed, they may even gobble up human trash, including cigarettes, boots, and license plates.

Are Great White Sharks Intelligent?

Unlike tiger sharks, great white sharks are more selective about their food sources. Whereas a tiger shark may chomp through just about anything, great whites don’t actively hunt humans. Their inquisitive natures may lead them to an unprovoked attack, but these are rare. They prefer feasting on dolphins and seals.

Great white sharks have adapted to live in environments where it’s easy for them to find prey while studying their weaknesses and using them to their advantage. They migrate as needed to ensure they have plenty of prey to sustain themselves. They conserve their energy and attack when appropriate, demonstrating their ability to strategize.

Great White Shark Protects Diver

When there’s a shark feeding frenzy, common sense tells you it’s unwise to dive into the water, especially unprotected, holding only a camera. However, the diver in this video thought it was worth it to capture the footage you’re about to see. In the video below, Emil explains that upon entering the water, there were several dusky sharks already trying to bite him.

The footage is terrifying, and the music adds to the suspense. At one point, he rides a shark’s fin as he continues to narrate the events of the day. To keep the whale carcass from floating away, he ties a rope to its tail to anchor it. His aim is to give the sharks a better chance to enjoy the full feast. He has to swim around great white sharks, tiger sharks, and dusky sharks to accomplish this unbelievable task.

Size of Great White Sharks at Different Life Stages

Great white sharks are one of the largest species of sharks, and their size can vary significantly depending on their life stage. Newborn great white sharks, for example, are typically between 2-3 feet in length and weigh around 25 pounds. As they grow, great white sharks can reach up to 20 feet in length and weigh more than 5,000 pounds.

The size of the great white shark’s teeth also changes as they mature. Newly born great whites typically have teeth that are only about 1/4 of an inch in length. As the shark grows, its teeth can reach up to 3 inches in length.

Overall, great white sharks can be incredibly large and powerful creatures. Their size and strength can make them a formidable predator in the ocean. However, they are also a vulnerable species and are threatened by overfishing pollution, and other human activities.