Sharks aren't exactly known for their approachability, are they? You can imagine that in their little underwater neighbourhood they're the equivalent of the cranky recluse who moans about the bins and won't give you your ball back.

Well, imagine being stuck with one that's not only got the sharp gnashers and stony, dead-eyed glare that sharks are famed for, but also happens to be 20ft long and weighs over two tonnes.

In photos captured off the Guadalupe Islands in Mexico, a particularly large great white shark was seen swimming through a school of unsuspecting mackerel - while also absolutely dwarfing a group of cage divers.

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The photos were taken for a shark identification project by water safety specialist John Maher, who hails from La Jolla, California. He had travelled more than 24 hours on the research vessel, and spent three days documenting the great whites in action.

The 35-year-old said: "The ride on the ship took a day to get to the waters near Guadalupe Island.

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"Once we were near, the boat anchored and the shark cages were dropped to a depth of 40 feet.

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"We spent three days diving in the cages, specifically looking for great white sharks. I spent an average of eight hours underwater each day photographing and studying the sharks as part of a shark identification research project.

"I was about 40 feet away from the other cage. To the best of my knowledge, the shark I saw was one of the largest female great whites anyone had seen all season.

John continued: "She was an absolute beauty and was as wide as a VW camper van.

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"The largest shark swam slowly up from the depths and gracefully introduced herself to the divers. She moved slowly, using very little effort, and seemed to be gliding more than swimming.

"She must have been 20 feet long, an absolute Goliath.

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"Adult great white sharks feed on elephant seals, which are well over five times the size and weight of a grown human.

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"I felt amazing while taking the photos. I've always had a deep fascination with sharks, and the great white is the biggest and most elusive of them all.

John said that locking eyes with a great white is a pretty unique experience, adding: "I enjoyed every second underwater with them.

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"I would often put my camera down at my side and just study their beauty and behaviour and try to establish eye contact.

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"Making eye contact with a great white shark is a spiritual experience.

"I was mesmerised and surprised at just how camouflaged they are at depth. Great white sharks are ambush predators, so they swim just out of sight before striking their prey from a blind spot."