A young Venezuelan had an incredible experience while kayaking with his father in the Strait of Magellan, in southern Chile. In an instant, everything changed when a massive humpback whale emerged from the water and, before anyone could react, swallowed him.
A moment of terror captured on video
The young man’s father, who was in another kayak, recorded the entire moment in disbelief. “I heard a loud noise, and when I turned around, my son had already disappeared,” he recounted.
However, what seemed like a tragedy took an unexpected turn: just seconds later, the whale expelled the young man, who managed to surface without a single scratch.
🐳 ASTONISHING 🐋
A young man was swallowed and then spit out by a humpback whale, which was only feeding in the area while he was kayaking in the Strait of Magellan, Chile, 08.02.25.
His father recorded the moment.
The young man was unharmed.
UNBELIEVABLE!
Video: RRSS pic.twitter.com/P93hn6IKrr
— Alejandro Sepúlveda Jara (@Sepulinares) February 13, 2025
Why can’t humpback whales swallow a human?
Although their mouth size is impressive, humpback whales cannot swallow people. Experts explain that their esophagus is too small and not designed to ingest large prey.
When feeding, these whales can expand their esophagus by up to 30%, but it remains biologically impossible for a human to pass through.
What do humpback whales eat?
Their diet consists of plankton (tiny organisms that float in the water) and fish such as capelin, anchovy, and cod.
In the northern hemisphere, their diet varies by season, but they always seek abundant species in their environment.
How to avoid a dangerous encounter with a whale
To minimize the risk of whale-related incidents, experts recommend knowing their migration routes and avoiding murky waters, where these animals may become disoriented while hunting.
Fortunately, this young Venezuelan got a second chance after a unique and terrifying experience in the Chilean sea.
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