It’s that time of year in Florida when the waters are warm and food sources are abundant, meaning sharks are becoming increasingly visible off the coast.
Local news and social media has been flooded with dramatic video footage thanks to onlookers having their cameras at the ready.
Recent weeks have seen some big hammerhead sharks, cruising the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These sharks are especially plentiful thanks to the annual northward migration of tarpon and rays that pass through central Florida each year.
Great whites have also been making appearances on both sides of the Florida peninsula. Thanks to a better understanding of these apex predators’ annual migration paths, these sightings have become almost expected this time of year.
The biggest sharks that have been flocking to Florida en masse are also the gentlest. Whale sharks have been spotted from Sanibel to Tarpon Springs in recent weeks.
Have video of a close encounter with a Florida shark? Make sure to tag us on Twitter @sharkophile #DontFearTheFins
