Sharks inside a ‘fish tornado’ captured in amazing underwater photos

These photographs show what it’s like to be a shark captured in a tornado of fish.

The remarkable images were captured by US underwater photographer Tanya Houppermans and show some real animal magic off the coast of South Carolina.

She photographed the sand tiger sharks burrowing their way through huge shoals of thousands of fish.

The little fish form what’s called a ‘bait ball’ to surround the much larger shark.

The giant ball acts as a free-flowing defence against predators.

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Ms Houppermans, 44, explained on the Underwater Photography website that her passion for capturing sharks on camera made her leave her job.

‘I left the corporate world to concentrate full-time on underwater photography and conservation,’ she said.

‘That was one of the best decisions I ever made.’

She added: ‘My favourite subject is sharks, but I really enjoy photographing almost anything underwater, from tiny shrimp to massive shipwrecks.

‘I hope to capture images that inspire people to care about the ocean and the creatures that live in it.’

In one image, a shark ploughs headlong towards her camera, navigating its way through scores of fish.

In another fantastic shot, the shark swims above the camera into what looks like a sea of tiny fish.