A video was captured when a 220-pound nurse shark bit a woman during a snorkeling excursion in the Maldives.
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Carmen Canovas Cervello, 30, was snorkeling at Vavvu Atoll with a friend when the 8-ft shark approached her and bit her shoulder. In the video, the animal circled Cervello before lunging at her. The Daily Mail reported Cervello and her friend, Ibrahim Shafeeg, were swimming freely with a school of sharks 45 minutes before the sudden attack.
Despite the shoulder wound, Cervello jumped back into the water after cleaning up the six-inch wound on her shoulder. Although Cevello is a nurse, she didn’t seek medical help or treatment and continued her snorkeling journey for a few more days to heal the bite.
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‘We were in the shark bay at Vaavu Atoll diving with nurse sharks; We decided to make a free dive trip to shark bay and snorkel inside a group of sharks there. There were around ten nurse sharks, from 198 pounds to 220 pounds, and over three meters wide. After the shark bite, we thought nothing major about it as it was only a minor injury, so we cleaned the wound and continued snorkeling at the same spot again.’
Nurse sharks are commonly found in the Maldives, which is known for its abundant marine life and world-renowned diving sites. The Maldives is home to various shark species, including the nurse shark, known for its docile and non-aggressive behavior toward humans.
Nurse sharks are generally found in shallow waters around the reefs, at depths ranging from 3 to 30 meters. They are nocturnal creatures and spend most of their day resting on the ocean floor or in caves, but at night they become active and venture out searching for food. Nurse sharks feed on marine life, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
While nurse sharks are generally considered harmless to humans, it’s important to approach them cautiously and respect their space. If you’re planning to dive or snorkel with nurse sharks in the Maldives, it’s recommended that you do so with a trained guide who can ensure your safety and the safety of the sharks. Remember to avoid touching or disturbing the sharks and maintain a safe distance to avoid any unintentional contact.
Nurse sharks are generally considered to be non-aggressive toward humans and are known to be docile and slow-moving. They are typically bottom-dwelling sharks that prefer to spend most of their time resting in caves or under ledges during the day and actively foraging for food at night.
While nurse sharks have teeth and can bite if provoked, they are not known to be a significant threat to humans. However, like wild animals, nurse sharks can be unpredictable and may react defensively if threatened or cornered.