When it comes to ocean creatures, nothing’s scarier than a shark. In the United States, there is only one shark-related death per year, but still, nothing entertains the horrified mind quite like a potential shark attack. But Leigh Cobb, a 38-year-old diver, is determined to change the way people think about sharks— and this amazing video may just do the trick.
Uploaded to YouTube yesterday (September 4), this video shows the incredible moment Leigh Cobb hypnotizes a giant shark.
The video was filmed in April of 2017 at Tiger Breach in the Bahamas. Christian Torres, 41, a photographer and dive master from Ecuador, is the one who records the event. In an interview with the Sun UK, he explained:
“In the video, my friend and mentor Leigh Cobb is feeding and rolling the most famous Tiger Shark from Tiger Beach … named ‘Emma’ who is 16′ long. “
In the footage, you see Leigh reaching out to stroke the shark’s nose.
Then she rolls the relaxed creature until it is lying on its back.
Finally, she has the chance to stroke the shark’s belly before it finally swims off.
The hypnotizing technique used by Leigh is known as ‘tonic immobility’. According to the organization Shark Trust, tonic immobility is a reflex that is common in sharks and stingrays. It produces a temporary, trance-like state that is similar to hypnosis.
When Leigh touches the shark’s nose, she’s stimulating the tiny sensory pores located on its snout. Later, when she rolls it over, tonic immobility kicks in.
“When the shark is gently turned on its back, it’s though to disorient them, causing them to enter the state,” Shark Trust explains.
“The shark’s muscles relax and their breathing becomes deep and rhythmic.”
When the shark is eventually released, it falls right out of its trance.
As mentioned, Leigh is determined to re-educate people about sharks.
She currently runs Shark Diver Travel, where she brings tourists on a 50-hour boat trip from Florida to the Bahamas and teaches about the mysterious creature. In an interview with Daily Mail UK, she said: “They realize after coming on one of our trips just how wonderful these animals really are, and they also see firsthand how important sharks are to the ecosystem.”
“I would dive with sharks as often as I eat if I could. Their bad reputation is simply not true.”
“I want to show the world how these animals can interact with us on a different level.”
Leigh’s caring work has led her to go viral several times over. Previously, she amazed everyone when she was the recipient of a sweet, tiger shark kiss.
“The female tiger shark approached me covered in parasites,” she told Caters News. “I removed my glove and luckily have longish nails. I started to pick off the parasites and she simply loved it. … She had her mouth closed, there was no aggression, she was simply appreciative.”
“It’s a moment that will stay with me forever.”
Watch Leigh hypnotizing the shark below!
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