Next time you want to jump in New England’s waters you better think twice.
It wasn’t that long ago when researchers spotted the largest white shark ever tagged in the western North Atlantic Ocean a mere 50 miles off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. That beast weighed a whopping 1,653 pounds and measured 13 feet and nine inches long.
Well, now there’s another beast with equally potential life-threatening dangers. The folks over at the Atlantic Shark Institute shared footage captured by its BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video System).
Related: Largest Great White Shark on Record Swimming Off Popular Tourist Destination
The non-profit shark researchers captured a huge and venomous stingray along the Rhode Island coast. The institute says these species can grow to a massive 7 feet across and weigh more than 650 pounds. These kinds of stingray can often be found partially buried in the sand waiting for a passing meal they can ambush.
Stingray like these are often found every summer when the waters warm to temperatures they prefer, the Atlantic Shark Institute states, and they leave the New England waters when temperatures plummet.
This particular stingray can be seen inspecting bait tied to the cage. The stingray hovers over the cage before going on its way and showing the world its massive tail spine.
One person asked in the comments section, “650 pounds? Yikes! Do they get that big here in RI waters or is that the size capacity for the species in general?” The Atlantic Shark Institute responded, “That’s the size capacity for the species but we’ve seen huge ones here in RI. We also have research partners that catch them by accident (and release them) and they can be enormous.”
As for the sound in the video, the institute says it’s “the sound of boat engines nearby. Sound travels very well in water and it’s a popular fishing area.”
