‘Hangry’ great white shark filmed feasting on whale carcass: ‘Nom Nom’


A ‘hungry’ great white shark has been filmed feasting on a whale carcass in Australia.

The video was filmed by local Darrin Bryant and shows the shark removing large pieces of the whale carcass floating off the coast of Lincoln National Park, South Australia.

“Name name hangry shark,” Bryant captioned the video.

The shark can be seen struggling in the water as it feasts on the animal.

“He has a good old chew,” a man can be heard saying.

The Department of Environment and Water has warned locals to stay away from nearby beaches as sharks are expected to continue feasting on the carcass in a feeding frenzy. Authorities will continue to monitor the shelf life of the carcass. He was last seen floating on the Eyre Peninsula.

It is not uncommon for sharks to feast on whale carcasses. While great white sharks are infamous for being apex predators, dead whales provide them with an opportunity to feed on an easy, energy-dense meal.

In July, up to 100 sharks were filmed feasting on a whale carcass off the coast of Australia. Large whale carcasses can attract many sharks lurking in the area.

Sharks are unlikely to regularly attack live adult whales due to their size. They can sometimes attack calves and small mammals.

When a whale dies, its body often expands with gas, causing it to float to the surface. Ocean currents will often cause it to run aground.

When a dead whale carcass approaches a beach, locals are always warned to stay clear to avoid being caught near sharks while they eat.

A file photo shows a shark feasting on prey. A great white was filmed feasting on a dead whale in Australia.
slowmotiongli/Getty

Shane Hodgens, owner of a tackle shop called Tackleworld near where the carcass is floating, was one of the first to spot it.

“There’s a nice campground there, it’s a very popular campsite and there’s also a nice beach, so it’s a pretty popular swimming beach,” Hodgens told ABC. “As we approach the Christmas holidays, it’s going to be very busy and crowded out there. I wouldn’t like him to be in the water any longer, because he’s starting to get a little closer to shore, this whale. .. and there have been several sharks in the area.”

Authorities do not plan to remove the carcass and will leave it to decompose naturally.

Great white sharks do not actively hunt humans, but if they come into contact with humans, especially while hunting, conflicts can arise.

When attacks do occur, they are usually due to mistaken identity. Humans swimming in water can mimic the patterns of their favorite prey.

Do you have an animal or nature story to share with Newsweek? Have a question about sharks? Let us know via nature@newsweek.com.

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