The secret to taming a tiger shark has been revealed by a wildlife photographer who wants to combat perceptions of the man-eating creature.
Eli Martinez says famous films like Jaws have shaped negatively shaped public views of sharks for decades.
He has shown how the fish species likes a good belly rub as much as the household cat.
He stroked 14ft-long tiger shark Jenn after guiding her into an upside down, trance-like state called tonic immobility which scientists believe may be linked to mating behaviour.
Eli and wife Maritza run guided trips at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas to help spread awareness.
Along with great whites and bulls, tiger sharks are one of the most common species involved in fatal attacks on humans.
However, attacks are very rare and the creatures are under far greater threat from mankind, with overfishing and hunting for delicacies like shark fin soup killing thousands.
Eli said: “The interactions I experience with Jenn and the other sharks are important to show a different side to these animals.
"The reason it seems safe and easy is because we give these sharks the respect they deserve.
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