Watch large hammerhead shark hunt prey just below people enjoying water off Florida

A drone recording off a Florida beach captured alarming footage of a large hammerhead shark chasing prey while oblivious swimmers waded nearby.

The video was made Thursday, June 6, near St. Petersburg and shared on social media by See Through Canoe. St. Petersburg is about a 20-mile drive southwest from downtown Tampa.

“Hammerhead shark chasing tarpon by people at the beach,” the company wrote on Facebook. “Some of the tarpon were swimming really close to shore by people in an effort to avoid the hammerhead shark that was stalking them. Most of the people only saw the tarpon, but some ... saw the shark.”

Among those who saw the shark was a man on a paddle board, who is seen pointing at the shark as it circles him. Paddle boards are typically 10 or 11 feet long and the shark appeared to equal the length of his board.

At one point in the video, the shark appears to catch something (assumed to be a stingray) and is seen thrashing its head back and forth.

The video was posted June 7, the same day three people were bitten by sharks off Walton County in the Florida Panhandle. The three attacks occurred within 4 miles of each other and likely resulted from bull sharks chasing bait fish near the beach, experts say.

Hammerhead sharks can reach a maximum average of 18 to 19 feet and live about 45 years, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Their diet includes stingrays, squid and other sharks, FWC says.

The video had about 3,000 reactions and comments on Facebook as of Monday, June 10, including many who wondered the best course of action to take in such a moment.

“It would be cool but terrifying,” Dara Wrenn wrote.

“My heart is pounding ... even from the safety of the internet!” Gail Gavula Newman posted.

This story was originally published June 10, 2024 at 8:25 AM with the headline "Watch large hammerhead shark hunt prey just below people enjoying water off Florida."