Snorkeler bitten by shark in Maldives; Social media says, ’just a reminder of who’s boss around here’

Travel influencer and scuba diver Lilian Tagliari’s close encounter with a nurse shark in the Maldives has generated widespread reactions on social media. Tagliari, known for her underwater adventures, was bitten by the shark during a swim among a group of 50 nurse sharks, an incident she later described as a rare and unexpected accident.

Tagliari shared a video of the incident on Instagram, explained that the bite, which left her with minor scars, was likely the result of the shark mistaking her for a fish due to its poor eyesight.

Despite the unexpected encounter, she reassured her followers that she wasn’t complaining, emphasizing that nurse sharks rarely bite humans and that the incident was just a “weird little accident”.

A rare incident

Sharing the video, the snorkeler wrote, “I know I will probably get a lot of “hate” in this video because: YES, I go swimming in the middle of sharks. YES, I like to take photos with sharks. YES, I know I’m in their home. So, I am not complaining. It was just a weird little accident that left me some cute scars… tawny (nurse sharks) very rarely bit humans, and the bite is more like a suction…so no limbs missing, just another story to tell.”

Social Media reactions

Social media users responded with a mix of humor, concern, and admiration.

One user remarked, “Just a reminder of who’s boss around here,” referencing the shark’s dominance in its natural habitat.

Some users reflected on the unpredictability of nature, with one saying, “When nature lets you know you’re not the main character,” while another humorously speculated about the potential dangers of swimming with other species, adding, “I would be scared that one day a tiger shark will get inquisitive and do the same thing.”

Another joked, “Thank God we are not on their Menu, you could have been his dessert,” lightening the mood with a playful take on the situation.

Others expressed surprise, with one commentator noting, “OMG. I thought they don’t bite. We swam with a lot of nurse sharks in Maldives,” underscoring the rare nature of such an event.

Several people also dived in with witty remarks about the shark’s action, with one writing, “The shark’s like, ‘I heard you were looking for a kiss, so I brought the teeth,’” highlighting the unexpected nature of the interaction.

Overall, Tagliari’s video generated a blend of lighthearted comments, cautionary thoughts, and a few playful jabs at the surprising encounter with one of nature’s predators.