Diver Bitten By Gator While Searching For Megalodon Shark Teeth

VENICE, FL — A Tampa diver was attacked by an alligator while searching for megalodon shark teeth in the Myakka River in Venice on Sunday.

Jeffrey Heim posted about the attack on the Facebook page of his brand, SHRKco, which sells accessories made with the fossilized teeth, as well as clothing inspired by them.

“I got bit in the head by a big gator while freediving for shark teeth in a river yesterday,” he shared Monday. “I’m very lucky and blessed to be leaving the hospital and ICU today after 34 staples and a mild skull fracture. The things we do here for shark teeth!!”

He told WBBH that he was “lucky it didn’t death roll. I’m lucky it didn’t get an arm, or a hand, or my face, or my neck, or my leg, or literally anywhere else.”

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Sarasota newsletters and real-time email alerts.

Witnesses called 911 during the attack, and EMS brought him to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he was treated, WFTS reported.

“I thought I got hit by a propeller; it hit me so fast,” Heim told the news outlet. “It felt like a boat was going 50 mph.”

In a Facebook post, he said that he’s asked the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission not to kill the alligator because of the attack.

“It was most likely just a mother following her instincts,” he said.

He told WBBH that he blames himself for the incident rather than the gator.

“I was in its territory,” Heim said. “I didn’t weigh the risk to the rewards. Technically, it’s gator mating season, so this was probably a female protecting her eggs.”

May and June are mating season for alligators in Florida, according to the FWC. During this time, gators tend to be more active and aggressive.

Heim has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help pay for his medical bills. As of Thursday afternoon, he’s raised more than $3,700.

In addition to running SHRKco, he’s also a commercial spearfisherman and an activist working to end shark finning and supporting sustainable fishing, according to his social media pages. Ten percent of all SHRKco sales are donated to Wildlife Voice.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.