Scuba Diver's Best Mate Is A Shark And I Think It's A One-Way Road

This is Rick Anderson, a scuba diver who's been in the game for 27 long ones. Next to him, is his friend, a six-foot female Port Jackson shark.

He recognises her by her markings, not that he needs to. She apparently recognises him, according to Rick, cosying up for a cuddle and a picture.

"I started playing with her about seven years ago when she was just a pup about six inches long," Anderson said.

"Most divers seeing this for the first time can't believe it. I don't feed her or any of the other sharks I play with - I basically treat them like I would a dog." You don't feed dogs, Anderson?

He adds: "I approached her carefully so as not to spook her, then began to gently pat her. Once she got used to me, I would cradle her in my hand and talk soothingly to her through my regulator." Rick? Sharks don't speak English.

"She will tap me on the legs until I hold my arms out for her to lay on for a cuddle." Rick, is 'scuba diving' a proxy word for you?

All image credits: Rick Anderson

He says media often wrongly portrays sharks as dangerous to people, but, in fact, we people are dangerous to sharks.

Rick, lad, I wish you well. But go and cuddle a Great White and come back to me with the photos.

Topics: shark

Josh Teal

Josh Teal is a journalist at LADbible. He has contributed to the 'Knowing Me, Knowing EU' and 'UOKM8?' campaigns interviewing everyone from student drug dealers to climate change activists.

@tealioni