Latest news with #JohnYanchoris
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
WATCH: Drone captures huge shark pair near Honeymoon Island
DUNEDIN, Fla. (WFLA) — Local drone operator John Yanchoris captured video of two large sharks exploring the waters around Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands. The footage, taken at around 8 a.m. on Friday, shows the pair meandering around St. Joseph Sound, perhaps scoping out a honeymoon spot for themselves. It's difficult to identify the sharks from above, but they appear to be Caribbean reef sharks, which are abundant throughout the Gulf and Caribbean Sea. They're similar to blacktip sharks, which are also fairly common in the area, but are usually smaller than Caribbean reef sharks and have distinct black markings on the tips of their fins. Yanchoris said he had seen around 40 blacktip sharks earlier in the day, and that these two were noticeably larger. Blacktips usually grow to around 4-5 feet, but Caribbean reef sharks can reach up to 9 feet. Neither species is considered to be aggressive toward people, but both can be dangerous predators when spooked or in the presence of food. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Giant manta ray dives under Florida paddleboarder: 'Unbelievable'
The Brief A paddleboarder near Honeymoon Island, Florida, had a rare and thrilling encounter with a giant manta ray. The video shows the manta ray gliding beneath the paddleboard, with the paddleboarder reacting calmly and excitedly to the sighting. Giant manta rays are the largest ray species and are protected in Florida waters. DUNEDIN, Fla. - A paddleboarder in Florida was enjoying a ride along the Gulf Coast when a massive creature appeared beneath him—a giant manta ray! What we know The encounter took place in mid-May near Honeymoon Island in Dunedin and was captured by drone footage shot by John Yanchoris. In the video, the manta ray can be seen gliding through the water as the paddleboarder approaches. It quickly dives into the clear waters beneath the board. The paddleboarder doesn't seem startled; instead, he's seen waving and pointing excitedly at the creature. What they're saying Yanchoris described the moment to Storyful as "unbelievable," noting that it's "very rare" to spot a giant oceanic manta ray in that area. Dig deeper According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the giant manta ray is the largest in the world with a wingspan of up to 29.5 feet with an average around 22 feet. These gentle giants can weigh as much as 4,000 pounds. Manta rays are protected in Florida state waters and pose little danger to humans, the FWC noted. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written on information shared by Storyful. Additional details about giant manta rays were provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
WATCH: Huge manta ray swims under paddleboarder at Honeymoon Island
DUNEDIN, Fla. (WFLA) — Local drone operator John Yanchoris captured a rare sight Saturday evening: a huge manta ray swimming underneath a paddleboarder. John said a marine biologist helped him identify it as a reef manta ray, one of the largest ray species in the world, and not common in Florida. This one was spotted off Honeymoon Island at around 8 p.m. Saturday. The reef manta is only beaten by the giant oceanic manta ray, whose wingspan can reach almost 30 feet wide. Reef mantas are mostly found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, usually in more shallow water than their giant oceanic counterparts. Their wingspans can reach up to fifteen feet, and the one captured by John looks to be almost the length of the paddleboard, which are usually between 10-12 feet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
WATCH: School of fish chases shark and manatee
DUNEDIN, Fla. (WFLA) — Drone operator John Yanchoris captured an incredible look at symbiosis in action. Footage taken last week at the Dunedin Causeway shows a school of fish closely following a shark as it swims around. Shark cam captures 'epic' encounter with 10-foot great white in Florida A few minutes later, a manatee drifts a little too close and finds himself similarly surrounded by the school. Fish will often trail sharks to snatch up their leftovers or even eat parasites that live on the skin of some species. Herbivorous manatees, on the other hand, can provide a safe shadow for fish to hide in to keep them protected from predators. The fish could also be snacking on algae that can grow on manatees. Whatever the case may be in this scene, the shark and manatee don't seem too bothered by the presence of the fish, making it a great example of mutually-beneficial symbiosis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Something very unusual' seen swimming above manta ray near Honeymoon Island
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A drone operator captured a rare video of a manta ray near Honeymoon Island with 'something very unusual' swimming above it on Friday. John Yanchoris said he flew his drone about 1,000 feet from shore at Honeymoon Island when he spotted a manta ray. 'I saw something very unusual swimming directly on top of it, I didn't realize what it was until I downloaded the video and viewed it,' Yanchoris said. 'Wow, it was a shark swimming directly on top of a manta ray. I could not believe it!' WATCH: Huge alligator sunbathes on Florida golf course Two manta ray species call Florida home: the Devil Ray and the Giant Manta. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said they are protected in Florida waters and are of little danger to humans. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
