Great white shark shocks tourists as it leaps out of water showing razor sharp teeth – World News

Incredible photos captures the moment a huge great white shark breaches the water stunning a group of tourists.

The 20-foot long predator is captured opening its mouth wide open and exposing its sharp killer teeth for the camera.

Another underwater shot showed the 286 stone beast swimming away after both terrifying and fascinating onlookers who were onboard a boat for a tour guide.

The epic pictures were taken off the coast of South Africa by photographer Dave Caravias, 51, originally from Wokingham, UK, but who now lives in Gansbaai, South Africa.

Dave used a Canon 7D camera to take his images from just a few inches away.

Dave explained how due to the poor visibility in the water and the great white shark industry being highly regulated, clients can only dive with them in cages.

But he said the tour allows people to find fascination in the what are generally considered some of the most terrifying creatures on Earth.

“People are completely at awe when they see the sharks and instead of fear it turns to fascination,” he said.

“It does not take long for people to get comfortable with the sharks being around the boat and I guess as it is a guided tour people are much more comfortable.

“Should they see one on a boat not as part of a tour perhaps their feelings may be different but after the tour the clients have learned that sharks are not ‘man eaters’ they are very cautious and calculated.

“Following the experience people go away with a whole new conception of sharks and wild animals in general.

“Just like most wild animals once you learn about sharks you realise that they are more nervous of humans than the other way around.”

He added that most animals will do everything possible to avoid interacting with humans and if people realise this then any contact will be much more positive.

“Eco Tourism is a huge boost to educating the public as well as many documentaries highlighting the plight of sharks around the world.

“The best solution is to educate the young as they are our future generations. If children are all educated about all wild animals, then people will be much more respectful of the nature around them.”

Great white sharks are the largest predatory fish on earth and can weigh over 5,000 pounds.

Although frequently portrayed as killers mainly due to blockbuster movies like Steven Spielberg’s Jaws great white sharks are actually very sensitive, intelligent creatures which have little interest in eating humans.

According to National Geographic, great whites are highly adapted predators and their mouths are lined with up to 300 serrated, triangular teeth arranged in several rows, and they have an exceptional sense of smell to detect prey.

Despite their huge size, they are listed as a vulnerable species due to overfishing and poor regulation.