Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) reproduce through a process called viviparity, in which embryos develop inside the mother and are nourished by a placenta-like connection. Mating typically occurs during the spring or summer, depending on the region, with males using their claspers to transfer sperm to females. After a gestation period of about 10-12 months, females give birth to a litter of 4-11 pups, although the number can vary. The pups are born fully developed and independent, measuri

Female sharks can have a tough time during the mating season. That could not be more evident than in this video of a blue shark as it swam past an Atlantic Shark Institute boat in waters off the RI coast. This video, shot by Dr. Josh Moyer, shows a significant number of bite marks made by males to hold the female in place during mating. These scars often lead us to an early indication of what sex the shark might be, before we can confirm it for reaearch purposes.#shark #sharks #sharkresearch | T