Massive 20ft Great White shark dwarfs cage divers in terrifying underwater photos taken off the coast of Mexico
The giant shark, pictured off the coast of Mexico, weighs more than two tonnes and can be seen circling the shark cages time and time again.
THESE terrifying photos show a monster 20ft long Great White shark dwarfing a research cage as it swims through a spool of shimmering mackerel.
The giant shark, which weighs more than two tonnes, can be seen circling the shark cages time and time again.
The photos, captured off of the Guadalupe Islands, Mexico, were taken for a shark identification project by Water Safety Specialist John Maher.
The 35-year-old from La Jolla, California, travelled more than 24 hours on the research vessel and spent three days documenting the different Great Whites.
John said: "The ride on the ship took a day to get to the waters near Guadalupe Island.
"Once we were near, the boat anchored and the shark cages were dropped to a depth of 40 feet.
"We spent three days diving in the cages, specifically looking for great white sharks. I spent an average of eight hours underwater each day photographing and studying the sharks as part of a shark identification research project.
"I was about 40 feet away from the other cage. To the best of my knowledge, the shark I saw was one of the largest female great whites anyone had seen all season.
"She was an absolute beauty and was as wide as a VW camper van.
"The largest shark swam slowly up from the depths and gracefully introduced herself to the divers. She moved slowly, using very little effort, and seemed to be gliding more than swimming.
"She must have been 20 feet long, an absolute Goliath.
"Adult great white sharks feed on elephant seals, which are well over five times the size and weight of a grown human.
"I felt amazing while taking the photos. I’ve always had a deep fascination with sharks, and the great white is the biggest and most elusive of them all.
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"I enjoyed every second underwater with them. I would often put my camera down at my side and just study their beauty and behaviour and try to establish eye contact.
"Making eye contact with a great white shark is a spiritual experience.
"I was mesmerised and surprised at just how camouflaged they are at depth. Great white sharks are ambush predators, so they swim just out of sight before striking their prey from a blind spot."
Guadalupe is considered one of the best spots in the world for sightings of the great white shark, possibly because of its large population of pinnipeds.
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