Tiger shark’s unexpected selfie adventure stuns the internet
An extraordinary incident occurred during an underwater tour in the Bahamas. A tiger shark named Jitterbug swallowed a phone with its camera still on, resulting in a recording from inside its mouth that went viral online.
10:06 AM EST, November 22, 2024
A group of tourists visited the Bahamas to observe tiger sharks from the deck of an underwater vessel. One of the main attractions was a shark-feeding session, during which a unique event took place.
The shark Jitterbug, well-known to the guides, swallowed a waterproof phone belonging to the tour captain. The device, which was continuously recording video, stayed inside the animal's mouth for a short while.
Rare footage from inside a shark
The video from the phone reveals the inside of the tiger shark's mouth, showcasing the characteristic folds of its digestive tract, rows of serrated teeth, and the muscle movements that enable water to flow through the gills.
The phone was spat out by the shark before it reached the esophagus, and its waterproof case protected the device, allowing it to be recovered in nearly perfect condition.
According to the photographer, the shark wanted to take a selfie
Underwater photographer Ken Kiefer, who witnessed the incident, described it on the Daily Mail website. "I was watching the shark chew on the housing of the phone. I figured the phone was gone and then saw [Jitterbug] spit it out," he recalled. He also joked that Jitterbug apparently "was trying to get some selfies."
The video quickly gained popularity online, providing the participants of the Bahamas tour with a story they will remember for years.
Sharks not as dangerous as portrayed
Although shark-related incidents often stir emotions, the likelihood of an attack on a human remains very low. According to data from The International Shark Attack File, there were 69 unprovoked shark attacks worldwide in 2023, with only 10 resulting in fatalities.
