Watch Whales Almost Swallow Two Divers Whole (VIDEO)

Jul 22, 2013 10:55 AM EDT

Two humpback whales almost swallow two divers, who were recording underwater footages, as the giant sea animals in a sudden surge breached the surface of the water with mouths wide open, apparently to feed on the school of small fish.

Filming from the boat, one of the crew captured the entire incident as the divers scrambled back to the back. After escaping, the divers swam frantically for shelter on the boat.

The divers were in the ocean near Avila Beach in southern California shooting underwater footage. The video, posted on Youtube Saturday, showed footages underwater of small fish rushing toward the camera.

Possible explanation of the whale’s behavior is that the whales were preparing to feed on the school of small fish by swimming toward them with their mouths wide-open.