The nerve-racking moment a bull shark comes within mere metres of oblivious beachgoers enjoying the water has been caught on camera
Territorial by nature and easily-provoked, bull sharks are often blamed when a shark attacks a human.
Though they're known for visiting shallow waters, drone pilot Paul Dabill was surprised to see just how close they'd come.
Mr Dabill from Jupiter, in the US state of Florida, was flying his drone when he noticed one closing in on a paddle boarder at his local beach.
He said: "They're common. During certain times I see them every time I fly my drone.
"But they usually don't get closer than 50 feet or so from the beach - this one got much closer, which is rare."
In Paul's footage, the curious predator is seen approaching the beach before gliding right past the seemingly oblivious paddleboarder.
It then presses close to the surf, just as a woman leaves the water, also apparently unaware of what's lurking behind her.
Finally the shark heads towards a group of snorkellers, before heading back to the paddleboarder to take another look.
Mr Dabill, 47, thinks the shark was probably tempted towards the beach by the prospect of food.
But he emphasised that an attack was only on the cards in two circumstances.
"One is if the shark is in shallow murky water chasing baitfish and a person is swimming or surfing in the area," he said.
"Then there is a chance that the shark could mistakenly bite the person while chasing the baitfish.
"The other scenario is when a diver is spearfishing.
"Once a fish is shot it will struggle and bleed causing sharks to charge into the area and attempt to eat the speared fish.
"If the spearfisherman is close to the speared fish the shark might accidentally bite the person."
He added: "Sharks do not want to attack people.
"If a shark bite occurs it is almost always a mistake by the shark or a person being in the way of the shark and a potential meal for the shark."
Bull sharks are often found in estuaries or off the coast of Florida.
They can live in both fresh and saltwater and and sea life experts say are often found in packs.
A typical bull shark is seven and 11 feet in long and can weigh over 1,500 pounds (680kg).
Wildlife experts say the species is one of the most dangerous and aggressive sharks and is responsible for the third highest number of attacks on humans.
