This is the amazing moment an underwater swimmer helps a 700lb tiger shark roll in the sea – while many more of the usually-terrifying creatures surround them.
The incredible footage published on SDM diving’s Instagram page shows the animal stalking towards the swimmer.
As the creature swims closer, the diver uses a box to guide the shark away from the sea floor.
This encourages the shark to float higher up and the swimmer uses this to his advantage as it makes it easier for the daring diver to grab hold of the sharks jaws.
As the creature swims closer, the diver uses a box to guide the shark away from the sea floor
With both hands on the sharks mouth, the swimmer bravely begins to coax the animal to roll its body around.
Miraculously, the creature follows the encouragement and completes the turn, while continually opening and closing its mouth, before swimming away from the diver.
Posted on Instagram two days ago, the clip was captioned: ‘Dancing and rolling with Jenn. I have always been asked how I get them to roll…the reality is I don’t do a thing…the Tigers do it all on their own.
‘There is no way I can force a 700 plus pound tiger shark to roll. What I do is feel when the Tigers feel like rolling, then we just sort of dance and dive together.’
This encourages the shark to float higher up and the swimmer uses this to his advantage as it makes it easier for the daring diver to grab hold of the sharks jaws
With both hands on the sharks mouth, the swimmer bravely begins to coax the animal to roll its body around
‘There is no way I can force a 700 plus pound tiger shark to roll. What I do is feel when the Tigers feel like rolling, then we just sort of dance and dive together.’
The publishers of the video, SDM diving, is a family business, operated mostly by Eli Martinez and his wife, Maritza Martinez.
Eli, replying to comments on the social media post, said: ‘There is always two of us, helping to watch the guests and each other’s backs. Plus I only play with tigers like this when I know exactly where all the Tigers are.’
On their website they say their goal is ‘to share with the world how important and beautiful our ocean’s animals are, and to help dispel the shark myth [that sharks are mindless monsters].’
The company is based in South Texas and puts together expeditions around the world to dive with various species of sharks.
Miraculously, the creature follows the encouragement and completes the turn, while continually opening and closing its mouth, before swimming away from the diver