Baby Shark Born in All-Female Aquarium Tank in Louisiana

Shreveport Aquarium investigates the rare birth of a swell shark pup, potentially caused by parthenogenesis or delayed fertilization.

A baby swell shark named Yoko was born on January 3 in a tank housing only two female sharks at the Shreveport Aquarium in Louisiana.
The two female sharks had not been in contact with a male shark for over three years, making the birth highly unusual.
Aquarium staff suspect the birth may have resulted from parthenogenesis, a rare form of asexual reproduction, or delayed fertilization, but further DNA analysis is needed to confirm the cause.
Yoko is currently thriving under close monitoring, though sharks born through such rare reproductive events may face significant health challenges.
The event offers valuable insights into shark reproduction and conservation efforts, with updates on Yoko's progress being shared via the aquarium's social media channels.