10 July 2023 , 11:56
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Terrifying video footage has captured the moment a man was bitten by a shark which refused to let go for 15 minutes as he swam at the beach, leaving him needing stitches.
The incident happened in Key Largo, Florida, when Andres Garcia was swimming in the water. While enjoying a dip, Andres felt something grab his foot which later turned out to be a nurse shark.
Andres' friend videoed the shocking experience, which has now gone viral, as they attempted to get the shark to release Andres' foot. Throughout the whole ordeal, Andres appears remarkably calm and unaffected by the situation - despite a shark refusing to let go of his foot.
The video shows one of his friends seemingly tapping the shark with a hammer lightly in an attempt to get it to unlock its jaws. Andres said he wasn't sure if he accidentally stepped on the shark by accident or had just got too close to its space.
Andres remained calm as one of his friends attempted to get the shark to let go by tapping it with a hammer (Andres Garcia)
While enjoying a dip, he felt something grab his foot (Andres Garcia)Andres' co-workers tried to pry the shark's jaw from his foot, but Andres just said it held on tighter. Eventually, he had to get out of the water with the shark still attached to his foot until it finally let him go.
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In the end, the shark had hold of Andres' foot for a full 15 minutes before eventually letting go and swimming off. Andres required 16 stitches in the hospital thanks to the animal.
Nurse sharks are thought to be one of the more harmless shark breeds. According to American Oceans they are "typically thought to be non-lethal to humans", that is "despite their frightening exterior."
The species mates from the end of June to the beginning of July, with eggs hatching inside the mother's body and born live unlike many shark species. Generally, they feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crustaceans, sea urchins, molluscs and the like.
They're described as "sluggish and slow-moving predators" who prefer to hunt at night. They use their sense of smell and electroreception to track down prey, with their strong jaws able to crush the shells of their usual meals.
Nurse sharks are generally thought to be among the less aggressive species of shark (Lena Remy/Golden Turtle/Bav Media)Just last month, another person was attacked by a nurse shark in Florida's waters. Paul Dabill was spearfishing off the coast of Jupiter, Florida, when he successfully speared a snapper and went in to grab it.
Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one eyeing up his prize as a shark started to also make a move toward the fish. He said: "He sawm up from behind and underneath me so I didn't see the shark until it collided with me. It was very shocking to say the least!"
Though he isn't sure, Paul believes the shark which attacked him was a nurse shark. They have been known to steal fish from spearfishermen and divers collecting lobsters - taking advantage of an easy meal, or the shark equivalent of a ready meal.