AssetID: 53173476
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Baby Shark Has Incredible Story: It Was Born Via An Immaculate Conception
Caption: This baby epaulette shark pup, which hatched at Brookfield Zoo in August 2023, has a remarkable story - as its mum is believed to have conceived it without a male. The adult female shark, residing at the zoo since 2019, had not been in the company of a male since her arrival. During her introduction to the zoo, the female shark was a mere three years old, and the species typically attains sexual maturity around the age of 7. Under these unusual circumstances, the animal care staff at the zoo believe that the female shark was capable of producing a fertile egg without requiring fertilization from male genetic material. This unique reproductive process is referred to as parthenogenesis, wherein an embryo develops from an unfertilised egg cell. Commencing in 2022, the adult female shark began laying between two to four eggs per month, typically considered infertile. However, one of these eggs proved to be fertile, and after a five-month incubation period, the pup emerged. It has been under the vigilant care and monitoring of the zoo staff behind the scenes. Now, at the age of 2 months, the shark, measuring approximately 5 to 6 inches, can be observed in one of the habitats near the entrance to the Living Coast exhibit. When fully grown, epaulette sharks can reach a length of 2½ to 3 feet. Parthenogenesis is a naturally occurring phenomenon among some invertebrates, although it is less common among complex vertebrates like sharks. This incident marks the second instance of a potential epaulette shark pup produced by asexual reproduction within an Association of Zoos and Aquariums' accredited facility. The first case was reported at the New England Aquarium, where the adult females at Brookfield Zoo originally originated. Mike Masellis, a lead animal care specialist at Brookfield Zoo, expressed their contentment, stating, "We are happy to report that our epaulette pup has been eating well on her diet of finely chopped capelin, minced squid tentacles, and other finely chopped seafood. Our colleagues at New England Aquarium have been a great resource, as shark pups produced parthenogenetically can be very delicate. We are looking forward to guests being able to see the pup." Epaulette sharks are primarily nocturnal creatures, typically found in warm, relatively shallow waters over sandy seabeds, spanning from the southern coast of New Guinea to the northern coast of Australia. They possess the unique ability to thrive in extremely low-oxygen environments and have been observed "walking" short distances on the seafloor and even venturing onto land using their muscular pectoral fins. The species earned its name due to the false eyespots located behind its head, resembling shoulder decorations found on uniforms. This distinctive feature is how the species acquired its name, "epaulette shark."
Keywords: shark,conception,epaulette shark,feature,video,photo,animals,sea creatures
PersonInImage: