A viral video depicting a diver stroking a large tiger shark has drawn the scepticism of a Perth fishing guru.
The video, shot by Clark Little Photography, shows a tiger shark approaching an underwater camera, and a diver reaching out to gently pat its gills and tail. But Grant's Guide to Fishes director Morgan Grant said all was not as it seemed.
Instead, it seems the video may have been depicting a tiger shark preparing itself to bite.
"The key point of the video is when the hand reaches out and the nictitating membrane -Â third eyelid -Â covers the eye briefly,"
"Sure, it is used by sharks as a defence mechanism to protect their eyes... however, it is also the behaviour of a shark ready to bite."
Mr Grant said he drew his theory from what his father, Ern Grant, had told him while tagging tiger sharks off Queensland's Heron Island in the 1950s.
"He [Ern]Â had to undo the shackle to the hooks in the sharks' mouth.
"He did this by watching the eye, and when the nictitating membrane slammed shut, he had enough time to take his hands out before the jaws shut.
"He contends that he was never in any danger because tigers always shut the third eyelid before biting,
Mr Grant also said his take on the video was not concrete.
"These are personal opinions, and no doubt, there will be many contradictory opinions!"
So what's your take on it? Do you think this shark was ready to have a nibble or just cruising through?
she is a beauty. tank the tiger shark
Posted by Clark Little on Friday, August 26, 2016
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