Nerds Republic

An Australian fisherman named Matthew was fishing at Tweed Heads last month when he hooked a hammerhead…but ended up with a HUGE tiger shark on his line instead. The hammerhead itself was a six foot shark — the giant that ate him? He was approximately 13 feet long.

According to Wikipedia, tiger sharks can grow to be about 10-13 feet long…but most often, anglers see sharks closer to the 10 foot end of the spectrum.

Wikimedia Commons / Albert Cook

In comparison, great white sharks can grow to be 16 feet long (if they are female). Males max out around 13 feet, just like the tiger shark.

Even though a 13 foot tiger shark isn’t outlandish, these photos posted to Facebook seem absolutely insane.

Facebook / Geoff Brooks

“Jaws ain’t got nothin’ on me.” -A tiger shark

Remember — this shark had to eat another shark to be hooked on this line.

Facebook / Geoff Brooks

Why isn’t it a surprise that this gigantic shark was caught off the coast of New South Wales, Australia?

Judging by the different reports sightings of other large specimens in the area, this photo is not a hoax. In fact, many athletes and families in the area are hoping to cull the tiger shark population to reduce the amount of shark attacks.

If you thought that shark was big, just wait until you see what bumped into this fisherman…

Source: Massive whale shark crashes into diver by Snoek on Rumble

When this scuba diver went deep into the ocean, he had an insane goal in mind: attach a GoPro camera to a hammerhead shark. Fortunately, that’s exactly what he did without getting hurt.

When the daring diver eventually caught up to the shark, he was completely blown away by the footage it captured. No one was ever able to accomplish such a feat in the wild before — until now.

Yep, this seems like a great idea…

Rumble

Source: He Put A GoPro On A Hammerhead Shark. And It Was The Best Idea He Ever Had. by dritancela on Rumble

GoPro cameras have truly allowed us to see nature in a ways that were previously impossible. Sometimes, though, it might be a little hairy attaching them — especially when there’s a shark involved!

For more incredible stories in nature, check these out:

If you’re in England right now, you might want to stay away from the water. Locals recently found a giant school of sharks near a nature reserve in West Sussex. The mere sight of these things would make anyone think twice about taking a dip in there again.

To be fair, these finned creatures might not be as dangerous as they look. Watch the sharks in action below to learn more about this strange congregation.

Source: 50 sharks spotted off coast in England by rumblestaff on Rumble

These sharks are actually smooth-hound sharks, which are mostly harmless to humans.

Wikimedia Commons

The sharks, which measure up to 1.5 meters in length, are called “hounds” because they often travel in packs. Instead of feeding on people, they like to eat crustaceans, cephalopods, and some species of fish.

Smooth-hounds are often found in coastal waters. The reason this gathering in West Sussex is so strange is that those waters are mostly inland.

Flickr / @Sage_solar

This one was found washed up on the beach. It is possible that warming ocean temperatures are changing their migratory patterns.

Sure, they might not snack on you if you swim nearby, but they’re still sharks. It’s probably best to just stay away.

For more shark stories, check out these articles:

Sharks get a bad rap. These creatures of the deep are imposing, sure, but they’re only doing what comes naturally as predators. There are also plenty of docile species, like the hammerhead shark you’re about to see in the video below.

The poor shark was in trouble, with two fishing hooks and a lure lodged in its mouth. When the menacing-looking creature washed ashore in Panama City, FL, two brothers, however, were concerned rather than scared. Knowing that hammerheads aren’t dangerous to humans, they decided to extend some kindness to the poor guy.

Thankfully, these brothers weren’t afraid to help out the predator in need.

Another view of the daring rescue…

We’re not suggesting running up to every shark you might encounter, but you don’t have to live in fear of them, either. This little hammerhead could swim comfortably thanks to the kindness of some humans who know that other animals call our planet home, too.

Sharks are pretty intimidating, but they can also be pretty awesome — and weirdly adorable:

Most people try to avoid sharks at all costs. They are dangerous predators of the deep, and encountering one could mean risking life and limb…literally. When people do try to see sharks, it’s generally under the guidance of trained professionals.

And then there are these two morons. They decided they’d hitch a ride on a shark’s back.

(via facebook)

These two dummies risked not only their safety, but the shark’s safety as well. It may have gone off without a hitch this time, but the shark might not be so accommodating the second time around.

Most people would really love to avoid sharks at all costs. Some people won’t even step foot in the ocean for fear that a sea-dwelling predator will come and snatch them up.

Other people, however, relish in the presence of some of the world’s most dangerous predators. For instance, when this diver was approached by one of the largest sharks ever caught on video, he didn’t shy away from it. In fact, he did something absolutely insane.

(via Facebook / Mauricio Hoyos Padilla)

I bet no one reading this would ever think to try to high-five a giant shark, but that’s exactly what this diver did. Kudos on being the bravest person in the diving industry, sir.

Dogs, cats, ducks, and rabbits — all of them are very cute as babies, true. But enough already, right? Let’s switch it up a bit before we reach puppy overload. How about we check out some cuties we probably haven’t seen before, and may never witness in person? What’s life if you don’t spice it up with some unknown fuzzy (or slimy, or scaly, or spiky) babies every once in a while.

Are you ready for this cuteness?

1. Let’s ease in with something just as fluffy as a tiny kitten…a baby chinchilla!

Reddit / CN4President

“Baba please!”

2. And from left field we bring you our annoying feathered friends who drop poop packets on your new blouse while you walk to work…pigeons!

Imgur / Pigeonlove

3. You most definitely want to run into a tiny porcupine out in the wild…if only to witness that killer mohawk.

Reddit / Rolling_Toaster

4. Hedgehogs apparently have adorably squishy feet as babies!

Reddit / BaudouinVH

5. This little baboon baby has quite the long to-do list, apparently. Such a worrier!

Flickr / Chi King

6. So svelte. Very fashionable. Much baby zebra.

Flickr / Jason and Alison

7. As long as this little guy doesn’t spray me when I grab him for some cuddles, I’m okay…heck, I’m alright either way!

Flickr / gamppart

8. Did this baby octopus use a curling iron for those ringlets?!

Reddit / Forgar

9. If you thought bats were spooky creatures of the night…look at this one enjoying his mini bottle and get back to me.

Facebook / Australian Bat Clinic & Wildlife Trauma Centre

10. Your Mickey Mouse ears had me fooled, baby hyena!

Reddit / PaperkutRob

11. Hamsters are already so small…but they are EVEN. SMALLER. As babies.

Reddit / elpelonino

12. They may dig holes in your garden…but can you blame ’em?

Flickr / Audrey

Baby chipmunks for president!

13. Maybe one of these tiny tykes will be the next Punxsutawney Phil?

Flickr / Gregory Laing

“A groundhog can only dream…”

14. I think this baby camel has something sassy up his sleeve.

Flickr / Step

15. The award for cutest, tiniest suit of armor goes to…this baby armadillo!

Reddit / FatPlatypus

16. Snakes as adults? Understandably scary. As babies? Who could run from this little guy?

Flickr / Derell Licht

17. I call this, “Baby Rat In The Throws Of Childhood, Full Of Candy And Innocence.”

Flickr / La Tarte au Citron

18. This pint-sized giraffe is already over those long legs of his. Can you imagine entering the world with those spindly legs? No thanks.

Flickr / Charles Barilleaux

19. I have no words for this baby beaver besides: are you real?

Flickr / Adam Rifkin

…Are you sure?

20. Cutest baby hippo ever…or worst cat ever?

Flickr / Tambako The Jaguar

21. This aardvark is still kinda creepy as a little one…but in a cute way?

Reddit / KiMbErLy2180

Yeah, let’s go with that.

22. Can you imagine the little squeaks that come outta this young guinea pig?

Reddit / ttott100

I can, and I’m about to explode with too much cute.

23. I kid you not…this is a real baby owl. It is made of fluff, pure imagination, and wonder…I’m pretty sure. Also magic probably.

Flickr / Josh Henderson

24. Hey there, tiny alligator! Honestly, I’d still like to keep my distance from you, if that’s alright.

Flickr / Florida Fish and Wildlife

You’re still cute from over there, though…

25. When this snapping turtle grows up, he’ll be just under two feet long, and will be able to chomp off your entire arm if you’re not careful.

Flickr / Samantha Forsberg

…But d’awwwww for right now!

26. Excuse me…I’m going to need a moment of silence while I mourn the tiny part of me that died of happiness when I saw this cute baby llama. R.I.P.

Flickr / Katherine

27. I’m not sure why this little guy has his own fin in his mouth, but his goofy grin makes me all kinds of happy.

Reddit / corbinafly

(via The Dodo)

I think the hippo might be my absolute favorite shiny baby on this list. No…wait, definitely tied with that shark. So. Adorable. What’s yours?