If you saw this scene…you were swallowed alive by a tiger shark?
Published date: 2024-11-20 20:10 Updated: 2024-11-20 20:17
Swallowed a cell phone and spit it out during a shark sightseeing tour.
A picture of a fire extinguisher was clearly captured inside the shark’s mouth.
Tiger Shark Jitterbug A scene taken with a cell phone camera of the pharynx area between the mouth and esophagus. 〈Underwater photographer Ken Kiefer’s Facebook〉
During a shark sightseeing tour in the Bahamas, a video showing a tiger shark named ‘Jitterbug’ accidentally swallowing a tourist’s iPhone and spitting it out while coughing went viral.
A tiger shark jitterbug (right) chases underwater photographer Ken Kiefer’s iPhone. 〈Underwater photographer Ken Kiefer’s Facebook〉
The incident was captured on video by marine photographer Ken Kiefer, who was on a shark tour with Texas-based undersea photographer Dave Finch.
“This cunning shark grabbed Finch’s camera and tried to take a selfie,” Kiefer wrote on his Facebook page. “It chewed up the phone and eventually spat it out.”
In the video, the iPhone was captured inside the shark’s mouth, passing through the digestive tract and through the gills. The shark then spat out the iPhone, and the metallic glass Apple device appeared to fall to the ground.
This is what the iPhone looks like when it briefly floats in the jitterbug’s mouth. 〈Underwater photographer Ken Kiefer’s Facebook〉
The iPhone belonged to Dave Finch, and he revealed that he was surprised to find that the iPhone’s camera was still rolling, capturing amazing footage inside the shark’s mouth.
Marine scientists explained how sharks move water underwater, explaining that a technique called ‘buccal pumping’ is a method of supplying water to the shark’s gills.
Jitterbugs are sharks frequently encountered at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas, and each shark in this area is known to have its own personality.
When the tiger shark jitterbug spits out a cell phone, you can see a row of serrated teeth. The teeth are flatter in tiger sharks and have distinct primary and secondary serrations. 〈Underwater photographer Ken Kiefer’s Facebook〉
The Dolphin Dream Team is monitoring these sharks, tracking their migration patterns through skin patterns and scars. They closely observe shark behavior and know where and when these sharks are.
Meanwhile, although aggressive encounters with sharks are rare, shark bites do occur occasionally in the United States. The United States accounts for approximately 72% of unprovoked shark bites worldwide, with Florida accounting for 40% of them. Regarding this, marine scientist Dr. Robert Latour said, “The best way to survive an encounter with a shark is to remain calm and defend yourself. If you see a shark, position yourself to avoid being bitten on the neck or face and do not struggle. “You have to be careful not to do that,” he said.
Reporter Taekwon Kim tkkim@etnews.com
Shark in the video exhibits curiosity and a level of comfort around divers, which can differ significantly from more skittish individuals I’ve encountered. While some sharks may display stress or aggression, others are more sociable and inquisitive. This variation highlights the importance of individual behavior in understanding shark species and their interactions with humans in the underwater environment
Guest 1: Dr. Robert Latour, Marine Biologist
Q: How often do tiger sharks swallow inanimate objects like iPhones? What are some ways we can avoid such encounters?
A: Tiger sharks are known to come close to boats and swim near divers, which makes it possible for them to accidentally swallow objects. However, the frequency of such incidents is not well documented. To avoid such encounters, it’s crucial to follow safety guidelines during shark sightseeing tours. Maintaining a safe distance, avoiding sudden movements, and not wearing shiny jewelry or bright colors that may resemble fish scales can help. Additionally, being aware of the shark’s behavior and presence in the area is essential.
Q: The video shows a remarkable look inside the shark’s mouth. Can you explain the buccal pumping mechanism and its significance for sharks?
A: Buccal pumping is a natural technique by which sharks pump water through their mouths to supply oxygen to their gills. It’s vital for these apex predators to breathe and allows them to remain submerged for extended periods. Understanding this mechanism is crucial in studying shark behavior and creating awareness about their ecosystem. The footage captured by the iPhone provides a unique opportunity to view this process from an entirely new angle.
Guest 2: Ken Kiefer, Underwater Photographer
Q: As an undersea photographer, what are your thoughts on the iPhone capturing footage of the inside of the shark’s mouth?
A: As surprising as it may seem, the iPhone’s durability and waterproofing capabilities make it a valuable tool for capturing underwater footage. In this case, it not only documented the shark’s behavior but also provided stunning close-ups of its anatomy. It’s an amazing feat of technology that allows us to observe the world beneath the surface in great detail.
Q: How would you describe the shark’s personality in the video, and how does it compare to others you’ve encountered?
A: Personality in sharks is a relatively new area of study, and each shark has its unique traits. The
