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Tiger sharks may be breeding around Cocos

Tiger sharks may be breeding around Cocos

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A newborn tiger shark has been observed at Cocos Island. Cameras also captured female individuals potentially pregnant, suggesting that parturition*) may take place at or near the island.

Juvenile tiger shark photographed off Cocos Island.
Juvenile tiger shark photographed off Cocos Island. Image from Undersea Hunters Facebook post.

However, it is still unclear if the presence of a single neonate ('newborn'—ed) is an isolated event or evidence that the species is using the island for reproduction.

Avi Klapfer of the Undersea Hunter Group, which reported the discovery on its Facebook page, said: 'Indeed this is a very exciting sighting, though it's the only one that we have seen. It does reflect on healthy environments and possibly a shift in nursing ground from nearshore mainland to the island, yet we will need to wait for more evidence of young sharks at Cocos before we call it a definite change.'

Fact file

*) Parturition: The act of giving birth

Sources
Journal of Fish Biology

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