Pregnant Stingray Could Have Been Impregnated by Shark: 'A Science Mystery'

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock image of a stingray.Photo:Getty

Getty

The aquarium explained in a statement toABC 13 Newsthat there are two ways in which Charlotte could have become pregnant.

One is a rare asexual reproduction process called parthenogenesis, in which eggs develop into an embryo without fertilization. If the pups were produced this way, they will be clones of Charlotte.

“We started to notice bite marks on Charlotte, but saw other fish nipping at her, so we moved fish, but the biting continued,” Ramer said, adding that bite marks indicate mating in sharks. Charlotte had bite marks on the edges of her fins, she noted.

The staff discovered Charlotte’s pregnancy in September after first noticing “swelling” in the animal that they initially thought was cancer, Ramer told the outlet. The aquarium’s vet, Dr. Rob Jones, later confirmed that the stingray was growing three to four eggs.

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Charlotte is thought to be carrying up to four pups and could give birth at any time since the gestation period for stingrays is between three and four months.

The aquarium will only know if the pups are clones of Charlotte produced via parthenogenesis or if they are what Ramer called a “potential mixed breed” when they are born. DNA testing will likely be conducted on the pups after their arrival.

source: people.com