They're reporting a virgin birth, or, more precisely a virgin hatch, at the San Antonio Zoo, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The Zoo says the first shark to be hatched at the zoo in its 103 year history, a Whitespotted Bamboo shark named Colette, was born without fertilization of her mother by a male shark.
Its a process called 'parthenogenesis, which allows fish species to adapt to various situations or a changing environment.Colette was born May 2, but the Zoo withheld the announcement for six weeks, because fish born in this manner frequently don't survive.
“We are thrilled to have the first hatch of a shark at San Antonio Zoo and in such a rare way,” said Craig Pelke, Director of Ectotherms. “This occurrence is important for this near threatened species and further helps us understand how sharks work and survive. Colette is helping us fulfill our mission to love, engage with, act for, and protect wildlife.”
Colette and her mom are both doing great, and can be seen by Zoo visotors at the Friedrich Aquarium.