Diver Kisses Shark, Then Gets Bitten (VIDEO)

We thought this was a pretty obvious rule of thumb, but to be clear: Never kiss a shark on the lips.

Shark Week may help promote understanding and respect for one of the most feared sea creatures, but for some people, it takes a (very) close encounter with a shark to learn the true power of these animals.

This video clip is from several years ago, but is one of the best examples of how even one of the most tolerant shark species can be dangerous under certain circumstances. This certain circumstance being an unwanted kiss.

Up until this video was shot, Florida diver Dave Marcel had an interesting habit when he encountered sharks. According to Animal Planet, he enjoyed flipping them over, then kissing and rubbing their stomachs. But when he decided to get a little friendlier and kiss a nurse shark on the lips, his love went unrequited.

The shark reacted as one might expect from a wild animal, and bit Dave right on the lips. With his lip severely lacerated, Dave was rushed to a Miami hospital, where a cosmetic surgeon was able to fully repair his face.

Although shark attacks are often covered in the news, sharks can actually be very shy creatures, and National Geographic reports that nurse sharks are "for the most part, harmless to humans. However, they can be huge—up to 14 feet (4.3 meters)—and have very strong jaws filled with thousands of tiny, serrated teeth, and will bite defensively if stepped on or bothered by divers who assume they’re docile."

The Pew Environment Group reports that nearly 30 percent of sharks and are at risk of extinction.

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO

Comments

[pete419]

03:59 PM on 08/23/2011

Could you show us the bite just one more time, please? After 41 times I still didn't quite get it.

[Brigette]

07:51 PM on 08/07/2011

I saw this on Shark Week. I love how he says it didn't mean to bite him. Umm...yes, it did. It's a wild animal that didn't want to be slipped the tongue. He's very lucky to have gotten away with the little damage that was done. It had every right to retaliate.

[addd84]

11:06 PM on 08/05/2011

folks at the hospital must have laughed

[lisaman]

12:12 PM on 08/05/2011

I love Key Largo, it is a great place to dive. I don't push my luck though, I have never tried to kiss a shark (unless you count my high school boyfriend, lol) and don't ever plan to either. My guess is though, this guy is probably already back at it.

[candlesmp]

11:55 AM on 08/05/2011

can we say almost winner of a Darwin award? The guy is a goof by tempting fate like that. oy vey.

[PatAb]

11:24 AM on 08/05/2011

He must have had bad breath and the shark was just letting him know how stupid he was to kiss the shark or he just smelled like dinner.

[obinna000]

10:34 AM on 08/05/2011

Obviously,the date did not go as planned...he only got through first base with the big fish

[transe]

09:18 AM on 08/05/2011

should have bit his dadgum head off. why on earth would some idiot kiss a shark? i could see it if he was a drunk fratboy out with other frat boys. he was sober, so there was no excuse.

[Paul Sta]

08:47 AM on 08/05/2011

Thats so depressing, really depressing. and this idiot is most likely a registered voter.

[MorpheusXNYC]

03:02 AM on 08/05/2011

Moron.... Candidate for the Darwin Award...

[chiara0]

01:08 AM on 08/05/2011

What's with all these guys kissing sharks?

[Peppers Dad]

05:41 AM on 08/05/2011

Women are too picky.

[carnivaluv]

12:43 AM on 08/05/2011

I wonder if he's still kissing them.

[keep it solid]

09:42 PM on 08/04/2011

guess the shark didn't want a kiss on the first date

[peachfuzz]

09:35 PM on 08/04/2011

Why didn't he just rub chum on his lips for lip gloss while he was at it.

[alisonv]

08:55 PM on 08/04/2011

Duh. Does he think a shark knows that a strange creature coming at him mouth first has good intentions?