Mystery Baby Shark Born in Aquarium Tank Which Has Housed Only Females Shark for 3 Years

Mar. 15, 2025

A photo of a swell shark.Photo:Getty

Getty

According to the aquarium, there are two possible explanations for the miraculous birth: parthenogenesis or delayed fertilization. Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction, and though there are several documented cases in sharks, this process is extremely rare. Delayed fertilization is when a female animal becomes pregnant months or years after the mating event that led to the pregnancy.

“This situation is incredible and shows the resilience of this species,” said Greg Barrick, the aquarium’s curator of live animals. “We are very excited in the coming months to confirm whether this was indeed a case of parthenogenesis or if it was delayed fertilization.”

“It really proves that life… uh… finds a way,” Barrick added, much like Dr. Ian Malcom inJurassic Park.

The aquarium’s husbandry team, which manages and nurtures marine life at the facility, will conduct a DNA analysis of the shark pup when it is large enough to have blood drawn in a few months. This testing will indicate how the pup was born, the statement reads.

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source: people.com