巨大なホホジロザメとハイタッチしてみたいと思う人がいるだろうか？
あるダイバーは、メキシコ西岸にあるグアダルーペ島の沖合で、とてつもなく大きなホオジロザメを相手に、自分の素手と胸ビレとの「ハイタッチ」を決めてみせた。この獰猛な生物が、大きな口を開けてダイバーに食いつこうとした直後であるにもかかわらずだ。
以下の動画は、マウリシオ・オヨス＝パティージャ氏が、6月9日にフェイスブックに投稿したものだ。
同氏は、「かつて目撃された中で最大のホホジロザメが、グアダループ島のケージの前に現れた。あのディープブルーだ！」と記している。
オヨス＝パティージャ氏が別の投稿で書いているように、ディープブルーとは、同氏が2014年に、調査隊の一員として標識タグを付けることに成功した、体長6mを超えるメスのホオジロザメの名前だ。その様子は、「ディスカバリーチャンネル」の毎年恒例のサメ特集「シャーク・ウィーク」で、フィルムに収められた（以下の動画）。映像で記録されたサメとしては最も巨大で、50歳を超えている可能性があるという。
ハイタッチを見事に成功させた同氏には、次回はぜひ、胸を合わせるチェストバンプを試みてほしいものだ。
この記事はハフポストUS版に掲載されたものを翻訳しました。
Amazing Places to Swim with Sharks
Lemon Sharks: The Florida Coast, USA(01 of05)
Open Image ModalThese small sharks are named for their buttery yellow skin color. Most grow no larger than 12 feet long, but they have been known to attack humans—though it’s usually attributed to fright rather than aggression. Lemon sharks are found mostly off the coast of the southeastern United States and also in the Gulf of Mexico. Jupiter Dive Center, out of Jupiter, Florida, just north of West Palm Beach, offers daylong diving trips to the Florida Reef, a favorite Lemon homesite.\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit: Shutterstock \r\n\r\n Click here to see All The Amazing Places Where You Can Swim with Sharks\r\n
Hammerhead Sharks: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador(02 of05)
Open Image ModalSneaking up on a hammerhead is next to impossible: Thanks to the positioning of their eyes—set on the sides of their distinctive hammer-shaped snout—they have virtual 360-degree vision. That’s why it’s best to get help from the experts if you hope to spot one in the wild. The folks at Quasar Expeditions have homed in on specific locations, including Wolf Island, in the Galapagos chain, off of Ecuador, where divers can swim alongside schools of hundreds of hammerheads. These sharks, which can grow up to 14 feet in length, can be spotted year-round in this area. Diving excursions are an optional add-on to all cruise expeditions with Quasar Expeditions, while Galapagos Diving offers more scuba-intensive weeklong trips.\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit: Shutterstock
Bull Sharks: Beqa Lagoon, Fiji(03 of05)
Open Image ModalFew marine creatures are as intimidating as the bull shark. The carnivorous fish grow 11.5 feet in length and 500 pounds in weight. Scientists consider them one of the most aggressive and predatory species in the sea. That may be enough warning for most to stay away, but if flirting with deep-sea danger appeals, then you can sign up for Beqa Adventure Divers’ day-long Shark Dive outings in the protected waters off of Fiji. June is peak season for spotting these migratory animals, though they arrive in the waters off of Fiji as early as mid-May. You might also spot grey reef sharks, Pacific blacktips, whitetip reef sharks, sicklefin lemon sharks, silvertips, tawny nurse sharks and Fiji tiger sharks here this time of year.\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit: Shutterstock \r\n\r\n Click here to see All The Amazing Places Where You Can Swim with Sharks\r\n
Tiger Sharks: The Bahamas(04 of05)
Open Image ModalSecond only to Great Whites in attacking humans, tiger sharks have a well-deserved reputation as predators. But it’s not people—or even smaller fish—that they’re specifically after. Tiger sharks have a very undiscerning palette and will chomp down just about anything. Studies of captured tiger sharks have found everything from license plates to old tires in their stomachs. They’re called the Wastebaskets of the Sea for a reason. The Bahamas-based Shark Diver outfit offers seven-day sailing and scuba trips out of Grand Bahamas Island aboard a 65-foot dive vessel. Along with tigers, you may see Caribbean Reef sharks and eagle rays.\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit: Shutterstock
Whitetip Reef Sharks: Oahu, Hawaii, USA(05 of05)
Open Image ModalThese nocturnal creatures spend their days snoozing in reef caves. Due to their small size—they rarely grow longer than 5.5 feet—Whitetips usually share sleeping quarters; divers may happen upon several stacked on top of each other in one cave. Oahu Diving offers day trips around the island, including excursions to Sharks Cove, off the North Shore, near Haleiwa.\r\n\r\nPhoto Credit: Shutterstock \r\n\r\n Click here to see All The Amazing Places Where You Can Swim with Sharks\r\n