Page 68 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #06

f nearly 500 shark species that cruise the LIFE CAN BETOUGH FOR LEMON SHARK PUPS.
oceans today, one in particular is a scientific
superstar. In the crystalline waters of the FROMTHE MOMENTTHEY’RE BORNTHEY HAVE
Bahamas, the lemon shark has been studied
continuously for several decades. This TO LEARN TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES.
beautiful and charismatic fish has become
O probably the best-known shark in the world.
And as marine biologists continue to learn more about Above: mangroves Starvation is another big threat. As newborns, lemon
what makes the lemon shark tick, they’re overturning provide plenty of sharks have huge livers packed with oil. Similar to an
shelter for young
many of our long-held preconceptions about the lives of egg’s yolk, this is how the mother provides energy for
lemon sharks.
large, predatory sharks. Their slow growth her pups to see them through the first few weeks of
Lemon sharks have a wide range, around the coasts rate means they their lives. But the clock starts counting down as soon as
and islands of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific. spend their first they’re born, so pups need to learn how to hunt and feed
years of life as
Life can be tough for the pups. From the moment themselves before they’ve used up their reserves. And
potential prey for
they’re born they have to learn to fend for themselves. they don’t always get it right first time.
a multitude of
That’s normal for sharks – whether they hatch from a other species. “I’ve seen them biting leaves or roots a few times,”
leathery egg-case or swim straight into the sea from their says wildlife photographer Shane Gross, who has spent
mother, as lemon sharks do, the youngsters are always many hours watching young lemon sharks in the
left on their own. But for young lemon sharks, the sea is Bahamas. The sharks soon spit out this mouthful of
especially dangerous. indigestible plant matter. “They’re definitely still learning
For starters, the naive, 60cm-long pups run a high risk about their environment – they’re not the top predators
of getting eaten during their first few weeks of life – and yet,” Gross says.
not just by other predators, but by members of their With so many troubles to deal with, lemon shark pups
own species, too. When female lemon sharks come face a 50/50 chance of surviving their first year of life.
to pupping grounds found in shallow inshore waters, To improve their odds of making it through this early,
large males will be often come sniffing around the area perilous phase, they hide among the shadowy roots and
looking for a snack. trunks of mangrove forests. At low tide, they’ll swim
68 BBC Wildlife June 2018