THIS is the terrifying moment a shark revealed its razor sharp teeth – which look like the monster’s from the movie Alien.
Incredible footage shows a sand tiger shark swimming through the water before it threatens to take a huge bite out of the camera.
6The sand tiger shark is seen swimming through the waterCredit: Reddit
6It suddenly extends its jaw, revealing a terrifying set of teethCredit: Reddit
6Sand tiger sharks are able to use their entire mouths to attack and eat their preyCredit: Reddit
6The way the shark’s mouth retracts is similar to extra-terrestrials in AlienCredit: Alamy
But as it approaches the camera, the shark extends its jaw outwards to reveal a set of horrifying teeth.
The unique function of the shark gives it an added advantage when trying to catch their next meal.
Their jagged teeth are to move quickly from within the skull, allowing it to use its entire mouth as it goes to take a bite out of its prey.
The footage was uploaded to Reddit where viewers were left in awe at the shark’s abilities.
One person said: “It is comical how spooky and simultaneously not a concern for humans these buggers are.”
Someone else said: “Sandies are terrifying, but mostly harmless if left alone. Totally understandable that they make even some seasoned divers nervous, though.”
Another person said: “Yeah they can do that, it’s pretty neat. I like how it just casually extends its jaw forward and then wanders off.”
One eagle-eyed movie buff noticed a similar ability to the character depicted on Alien.
They said: “So that’s the inspiration for the ‘Alien’ monster’s double jaw.”
In the 1979 film Alien, Ridley Scott worked with other designers to come up with a complex extra-terrestrial species that was like no creature seen before.
Similar to the sand tiger shark, the Alien’s mouth has the ability to extend its jaw to reveal a powerful set of teeth which can chew through bone and metal.
Sand tiger sharks have been responsible for 29 attacks on humans, although none have been fatal as the species is generally calm.
They survive on a diet of bony fish, other sharks and crustaceans.
Tanya Houppermans, 44, caught the moment she came face-to-face with a sand tiger shark on camera as the beast glided through a tunnel of tiny fish off the coast of North Carolina in the United States.
The stunning image shows the top half of the animal’s body emerge from the shoal as it penetrates the massive bait ball.
Tanya, of Virginia, described the image as a “one in a million” shot. She took it on July 10 in the waters of Morehead City.
Tanya, who has been a photographer for eight years, captured the moment from beneath the shark and hopes it will show people the animals are not to be feared.
She said: “I’m always amazed at how graceful sharks are.
“One of the biggest misconceptions surroundings sharks is that they will seek out and attack people who happen to be in the water nearby. This is simply untrue.
She adds: “Sharks are often cautious and timid around people and will typically retreat if they feel threatened.”
6Sand tiger sharks have been responsible for 29 attacks on humans, although none have been fatalCredit: Reddit
6The sand tiger shark’s jaw is able to extend from beyond it mouthCredit: Reddit
