Sharks are known to be cannibals, and their varied mating rituals are well-known.Sharks are one of the most territorial aquatic animals. They reproduce via means of internal fertilization.When you hear the word ‘shark’, a warning sign may start flashing in your mind, telling you that this species is dangerous. This is a myth, however, as they are aggressive when their territory is being threatened or when they sense danger coming their way.The shark is a species that is thought to have existed on Earth for approximately 420 million years, and reproduction and the birth of pups vary among different species. According to scientists and conservation societies of sharks, these species have four different ways of reproducing: viviparous (giving birth to live young), oviparous (laying eggs), ovoviviparous (producing eggs that develop within the maternal body), and asexually (physical mating is not necessary to produce young).Each species of shark mates and produces eggs either internally or externally, depending on what kind of shark it is. Sharks have diverse mating habits. The birth of pups takes place on average after 7-18 months. Oviparous shark eggs hatch in 6-12 months. Some sharks take a long time to even reproduce one pup because of their migratory habits, as they are known to travel thousands of miles!Do sharks mate for life?No, sharks do not mate for life. The shark mating takes place once every two to three years.Females have an internal fertilization reproduction process which indirectly increases the survival rate of their pups. In the shark mating process, the female shark is known to get into aggressive fights with the male shark. Generally, most of the time, the female shark is monogamous until she reaches sexual maturity at the age of 15 years. The male shark’s sperm competes internally for egg fertilization. The gestation period is 18 months.How do sharks attract their mates?Sharks are known to attract their mates through pheromones, chemicals produced by female sharks when they are ready to mate.Female sharks first release chemical pheromones in order to attract males. Once the female is ready, sharks indulge themselves in an aggressive mating ritual in which the male uses his claspers to fertilize eggs inside the female body. The shark’s strong sense of smell helps it to attract a mate.Some shark species are known for hybridizing, such as Australian blacktip sharks and common blacktip sharks. These shark species can crossbreed. It is necessary for two species of sharks do not to have the same number of chromosomes for successful reproduction. Rainbow sharks and Bala sharks cannot mate with each other due to their different habits, and also because both species will end up eating each other. It is advised by many fish market sellers to not keep these shark species together in an aquarium.At what time of year do sharks mate?Shark mating takes place during spring and summer seasons.Great white sharks are rare according to conservation societies. Tiger sharks are known to breed during spring and summer seasons. The tiger shark species is ovoviviparous, while great white sharks are viviparous. Both shark species have thick skin, and sperm of males is stored until ovulation takes place.A female tiger shark mates once every three years. These sharks have a well-adapted mating ritual among them, along with effective reproductive organs such as the cloaca. Eggs hatch internally. The birth of pups mostly occurs between May and June near coastal areas. Great white sharks are known to be found in northeast America and in California near coastal areas during the breeding season. Female great white sharks breed every two years. It is unknown whether this species of sharks can mate with other species of sharks as sightings by scientists are rare.Why do female sharks have mating scars?Scientists believe that female sharks have mating scars due to the male’s forceful bites done with their sharp teeth.Sharks are called aggressive sea animals among fish. Species of sharks are aggressive even before mating. Male sharks are known to bite the female pectoral fins with their sharp teeth, and they leave one or two scars on either fin, depending on how forceful the male is with the female. Males bite the back and flank which turn into scars. Some species of sharks have aggressive sexual rituals before mating.How do hammerhead sharks select a mate?The hammerhead shark mates on the seafloor or bed. Among the school, weaker female sharks are pushed out of the middle of the school by stronger females, while male sharks swim towards weaker sharks.For the species of hammerhead shark, mating or reproduction takes place once a year. This shark species is known to swim in groups called schools which consist of females in large numbers. Female sharks with stronger bodies push weaker sharks out of the middle of school, which is a great opportunity for mating. Males swim towards them and mate using their claspers. The clasper is used by the male to fertilize the egg internally.Can sharks reproduce without a mate?Yes, sharks can reproduce without a mate.The zebra shark species is known to reproduce without mating. Scientists believe that this shark species has developed parthenogenesis. The female has the ability to fertilize eggs, and embryos develop with the male’s clasper. The female’s egg is fertilized by an egg progenitor cell that is absorbed by the female’s body. Even the hammerhead shark species is known to reproduce asexually as per the Nebraska aquarium, Omaha, America.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how do sharks mate, then why not take a look at how do whales sleep, or reef shark fun facts for kids?
Sharks are known to be cannibals, and their varied mating rituals are well-known.
