Diver debunks terrifying common misconception about why a shark’s eye turns white

A diver has dispelled a commonly believed myth about why shark's eye will turn white.

TikTok user @adriana_marine is a self-described 'Ladyshark', and is on a mission to 'save our seas'.

And one way of doing so is educating her viewers on some previously widely believed myths on the sea creatures.

Andriana has previously made videos advising people to never swim away from sharks if you see one, and what to do if a shark approaches you.

If you're curious, you should basically put your hand on top of their head and gently push them down and away from you while keeping your arm on their body, so they don't come back to you.

The fact that she comes this close to sharks on a regular basis should be commended.

Most people's images of sharks are usually something straight out of Jaws - speeding after it's prey before clamping their jaws shut as their eyes turn white in a sea of blood.

It's a very vivid image for a lot of people, I imagine.

But according to Andriana, we've got it all mixed up when it comes to why shark's eyes turn white - and spoiler, it's nothing to do with taking a bite out of something.

She says that people often believe that when they blink, they're about to attack, or if the whites of their eyes show, it's a tell-tale sign that they'll bite.

Well, these beliefs are false.

In the viral clip, which has amassed almost four million views, the professional shark diver clarifies: "When sharks blink their eyes, that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to attack.

"Sharks actually use their eyelids the same way we do, to protect their eyes."

So I guess we're exactly like sharks? Or have I completely missed the point?

In the social media clip, she shows how she deals with a tiger shark approaching her.

Adriana highlights that the shark actually blinks her eyes as she approaches to protect her eyes from the diver.

Andriana then says that she 'barely makes any contact' with it as she redirects the shark.

With a closer angle, she continues to explain that the shark closes her eyes right before she can make contact with it - but it is clear that when the shark is pushed away, her eyes are completely shut.

Blinking slightly, the shark is said to be 'making sure that it's safe for her to have her eyes open' since their eyesight is very important to them.

Who knew?

Perhaps, sharks might be more afraid of us than we are of them.

Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@andriana_marine

Topics: Sharks, TikTok, Science, Viral, Animals

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair is a journalist at LADbible. Born in Malaysia and raised in Dubai, he has always been interested in writing about a range of subjects, from sports to trending pop culture news. After graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Media, Journalism and Publishing, he got a job freelance writing for SPORTbible while working in marketing before landing a full-time role at LADbible. Unfortunately, he's unhealthily obsessed with Manchester United, which takes its toll on his mental and physical health. Daily.

@joshnair10