Some days, even the critter we all know as “top of the food chain” gets in harm’s way. Should I say “jaw’s” way?
Here’s a diver who probably wished – if only for a moment – that he/she had chosen a much safer hobby… like bear hunting, or wrestling alligators.
Don’t try this at home! But check it out:
This diver was almost sucked into the mouth of a massive whale shark as it fed on plankton off Isla Mujeres, Mexico! (Photo: Mauricio Handler/ Handlerphoto.com/solent)
The diver was actually far from staring into the jaws of death. The shark, which is the sea's largest fish, is actually vegetarian. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Except the following frame's caption points out that these fish were feeding on "tuna spawn." My guess is that more than a few actual tuna get swalloed-up. Just a hunch though. And to a shark, a diver looks - and swims - a lot more like a tuna than a plankton. Burp!) The relieved diver escaped from the encounter unscathed and continued to enjoy the presence of the incredibly docile animals. (Photo: Mauricio Handler/ Handlerphoto.com/solent)
The stunning photograph, by Mauricio Handler, was taken during a feeding session where more than 600 of the huge creatures gathered to feed on tuna spawn. (Photo: Mauricio Handler/ Handlerphoto.com/solent)
A whale shark skimming for fish eggs on the waters surface. (Photo: Mauricio Handler/ Handlerphoto.com/solent)
Aerial perspective of the gathering. Six snorkelers float, waiting to get a glimpse of these giants. These are not professional divers - just tourists. (Photo: Mauricio Handler/ Handlerphoto.com/solent)
Whale sharks swim as divers take photos. (Photo: Mauricio Handler/ Handlerphoto.com/solent)
