Shark and stingray caught fighting near Florida beach in viral video

WASHINGTON — Beachgoers in Panama City Beach, Florida, got quite a surprise recently when a shark and a stingray were seen going head-to-head just feet from the shore.

The dramatic moment was caught on video, with onlookers describing the two animals splashing and spinning around in shallow water. According to people at the scene, the stingray eventually escaped, but a bite was visibly taken out of its fin.

“I was freaking out because I had never seen anything like that before in person,” Kiley Peterson, a beachgoer who witnessed the incident, told “Today.” 

No people were hurt, but the close encounter is a good reminder that stingrays are common in warm, coastal waters, especially in the summer. While they’re not usually aggressive, they sting when they feel threatened or when stepped on.

According to the Poison Control Center, stingrays will use their venomous tail spines to defend themselves if they feel threatened. Around 1,500 to 2,000 stingray injuries are reported each year in the U.S., with most stings happening to the feet and legs.

Here’s what to know to stay safe from stingrays on your next beach day.

According to the San Diego Surf School, the best way to avoid being stung by a stingray is to do the “stingray shuffle.” This means shuffling your feet in the sand instead of taking big steps alerts stingrays to your presence. This gives them time to swim away before you accidentally step on them.

It’s also recommended to watch for any unusual movement in the sand that could mean a stingray is nearby, and to be extra careful in shallow, warm water where stingrays typically hang out the most.

If you’re stung, San Diego Surf School and Poison Control recommend getting out of the water immediately and cleaning the wound with fresh water. Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide should be avoided, as they can make things worse.

Pain from a sting can be intense, as the stingray’s tail spine can pierce the skin and release venom, causing burning, swelling and bleeding. In rare cases, it can lead to complications like fainting, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats or infection. Fatalities are very rare and usually happen only when someone is stung in the chest or abdomen.

You should soak the injured area in hot water for 30 to 90 minutes, which can help reduce pain and neutralize venom. Even if the pain fades, it’s recommended to see a doctor as stingray stings can lead to infection or leave part of the spine embedded in the skin.

If you’re unsure what to do after a sting, you can call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use their online tool for step-by-step guidance.