Chilling moment scuba diver films shark's eyes change when the predator smells him nearby

In a video posted by Dan Senior, a shark is seen swimming near the scuba diver when it suddenly switches directions
PUBLISHED MAR 29, 2023
Scuba diver Dan captured the jaw-dropping moment a shark's eyes changed after spotting him (@scubadan_/TikTok)
Scuba diver Dan captured the jaw-dropping moment a shark's eyes changed after spotting him (@scubadan_/TikTok)

Research claims that when humans see their loved ones, their pupils dilate and become larger than they normally look. However, this strange phenomenon could also occur in sharks, although not for the same reasons. A scuba diver known on TikTok as 'Scuba Dan' shared an eerie yet breathtaking moment when a shark spotted him under the deep blue waters, which has already been viewed more than a million times. What's so fascinating about it?

In the viral TikTok video, the shark can be seen swimming calmly underwater as it quickly changes its behavior after spotting the diver. The giant predator then suddenly changes direction and starts swimming towards him before drifting off into the distance. Interestingly, the brief encounter isn't about how the shark detects the diver, but rather how the shark spots the diver, which made social media users' jaws drop.

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'One part of blood to one million parts of water!'

"Watch her eyes change the second she smells me," the video text reads, just seconds before the shark turns its attention to Scuba Dan. The shark, which had been swimming in sleep mode, quickly opens its eyes even before it focuses its eyes on its prey. The predator zeros in on the diver after being alerted by his scent. But the shark realized that Scuba Dan is not a threat before drifting off.

(@scubadan_/TikTok)
The moment a shark spots Scuba diver Dan (@scubadan_/TikTok)

Sharks are very sensitive to smell and can sense blood from a great distance. They are often alerted to their prey first by smell rather than sight, which is one of the most important skills for their survival. "Some sharks can even detect the blood of prey from a huge distance - one part of blood to one million parts of water," according to SharkTrust.org. "That's equal to one teaspoon in an average-sized swimming pool," the website says.

(@scubadan_/TikTok)
Sharks are often alerted by their prey first by scent rather than sight (@scubadan_/TikTok)

'I would totally be eaten in that situation'

TikTok users were mesmerized yet terrified by the predator in the video. “I woulda passed out,” one person wrote. “I would totally be eaten in that situation,” seconded another user, reported IN THE KNOW. However, some viewers claimed they were amazed by the shark's appearance and its skills. Multiple people commented on how beautiful sharks really are. Others simply couldn't get over the special moment they witnessed in the viral video. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online

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