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Great white sharks are the biggest predatory fish in the world.
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Close Encounter With a Great White Shark: Photos
Great white sharks are the biggest predatory fish in the world. And despite their mass, they can travel at ridiculous speeds, at over 35 miles per hour, to track their prey. Marine biologist Joe Butler traveled with two friends off Hans Bay, South Africa, in hopes of seeing some great whites. Which they did. See more of Butler's story on a new episode of This Happened Here on the Seeker Network. Shark Files: Shark Bite Risk Down 91 Percent Since 1950
Joe Butler
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"In order to bring them in closer, to give everyone a good look, the crew would employ a tuna head on the end of a long rope and drag it out of the way before the shark had a chance to grab it," Butler said. Shark Files: Great White Shark Photobombs Friend
Joe Butler
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This amazing photo, taken from inside the cage, shows the shark grabbing the bait before anyone had a chance to react. "There's actually quite a sobering moment when you realize that proverbially you're the fish out of water, this is their home, and you’re not actually supposed to be there," Butler said. Shark 'Highways' Crisscross The World: Photos
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"I think a lot people have this image in their head of them being sort of an idealistic predator, but in reality these animals are still quite vulnerable. However, seeing them in their natural environment is something I would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat." Above, Butler (left), prepares to cage dive with his two classmates. Shark Files: Scary Footage Shows 15-Ft Great White In Mass.
Joe Butler
A nude swimmer in waters off a "clothing-optional" beach on Hawaii's Big Island was attacked by a shark of undetermined species, HawaiiNewsNowreports.
The swimmer, a 54-year-old man, was attacked about 100 yards out at Kehena Black Sand Beach in Pahoa.
He was wearing finsand suffered tendon and nerve injuries to his right ankle when the shark tugged at them. But he never saw the shark that did the damage.
"It felt like something just kind of sharp just kind of sliced, kind of scratched against my ankle," the man told HawaiiNewsNow.
The swimmer headed for shore and was helped to safety by fellow beachgoers.
Officials classified the injury as a shark attack based upon the bite marks on the ankle.
The man is now recovering from the attack in a local hospital. Meanwhile, officials at the beach have posted shark warning signs.
via HawaiiNewsNow