Well, it’s Valentine’s Day. The time when young love springs eternal; the time when two hearts beat as one; the time when Hallmark cashes in on on a day that was, according to Jim Carrey’s character in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, “invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap.” And since today is a day for love, we thought it might be fitting to show you this rare footage of two sand tiger sharks mating. It was taken on January 29th, 2022 at the Tennessee Aquarium.
If you’re thinking to yourself, “I’ve never even considered what it looks like when sand tigers sharks get it on,” you’re not alone. The footage caught by live webcams at the Tennessee Aquarium is incredibly rare. There’s a lot we still don’t know about sharks in general, and their mating habits are a big part of that.
When sand tiger sharks mate, it’s little violent. The male uses a lot of teeth, but rest assured the female is prepared for it. See, the females have some seriously thick skin, and while these amorous interactions can leave the occasional mark, they’re almost never anything to worry about. A shark’s skin is made up of dermal denticles, which are basically tough scales. In females, they tend to be much thicker.
“If they’re facing the same direction,” said aquarium director Thom Demas, “he’ll typically grab the female by the large fin that sticks out of her side and contort his body around her. It appears pretty vicious, but that’s how these sharks reproduce. They’re designed for this. It appears pretty vicious, but that’s how these sharks reproduce. They’re designed for this …While they do get some injuries during mating, they’re usually superficial, and they heal.”
Now all that’s left to do is wait and see if the mating did what everyone hopes it did. Researchers at the aquarium are now watching carefully for any signs of pregnancy. If all went well, they’re expecting a new baby shark in around nine to 13 months.
Learn more about sharks in Ocean Ramsey’s Guide to Sharks and Safety.
