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<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Chicago-area zoo recently welcomed a new epaulette shark pup.</li><li>The sharks are known for "walking" and the large, round spots behind their pectoral fins. </li></ul>A new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/shark-attacks-what-are-odds-of-getting-bitten-2018-7">shark</a> pup is always cause for celebration at the Brookfield Zoo, but the birth of an epaulette shark has zookeepers especially excited due to its unusual conception.The zoo, located just outside of Chicago, welcomed the pup on August 23 — but her mother had not been in contact with a male shark since 2019, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://czs.org/Epaulette-Shark-Hatches-at-Brookfield-Zoo">press release from the zoo</a>.Now, at about two months old, the pup is small, between five and six inches long, said the release.Epaulette sharks, which can reach up to 3 feet long at maturity, are easily identified by the large spots behind their pectoral fins.But they're also known for a strange reason — being able to "walk" using its fins both on land and in water.Using this skill, the sharks can survive harsher environments and move between tide pools to find more food and oxygenated water.The birth of the pup in Brookfield marks the second known asexual birth of an epaulette shark in an accredited zoo or aquarium, per the release. The first was born at the New England Aquarium.When sharks <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-say-they-have-induced-virgin-births-in-fruit-flies-2023-7">asexually reproduce</a>, the process is called automictic parthenogenesis.Sharks producing eggs usually make one egg and three "polar bodies," shark researcher Kevin Feldheim told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dw.com/en/baby-shark-asexual-reproduction/a-59055053">Deutsche Welle</a>, a German media outlet.While normally the female shark reabsorbs the polar bodies, sometimes one of them has the same amount of genetic material as the egg and fertilizes it.The process could be triggered by the lack of a male partner in sharks, but there is still a lot <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-sex-exists-2016-12">scientists don't understand about the process</a>."We don't know how common it is and the handful of cases we have seen have mostly taken place in an aquarium setting," Feldheim told DW.The pup at the zoo, housed in the Living Coast habitat, continues to thrive, per the release.Specialists at the zoo said they received help from their peers at the New England Aquarium, since pups produced parthenogenetically may be more delicate than others."We are happy to report that our epaulette pup has been eating well on her diet of finely chopped capelin, minced squid tentacles, and other finely chopped seafood," said lead animal care specialist Mike Masellis, per the release. "We are looking forward to guests being able to see the pup."

A shark pup that can 'walk' and was asexually conceived was just born at a Chicago-area zoo

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Australian TikToker installed a shark tank in his living room.</li><li>The anonymous man posts live-feeding videos on TikTok as @thegyp_aus.</li></ul>Australian TikToker @<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thegyp_aus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thegyp_aus</a> has been receiving criticism for installing a shark tank in his living room. The videos show him live-feeding the sharks, cleaning the tank, and adding new marine animals. His <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thegyp_aus/video/7204738622069722369?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7212518380259182081" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most viral video</a>, which has close to 40 million views as of May 25, shows him adding a 14-inch Port Jackson shark to the tank and documents it being almost eaten by a 4-foot-long Bumblebee grouper. In addition to a door being slammed for added sound effects, Fred, the grouper, is heard being scolded before the shark is able to get away.His videos have garnered mixed reviews, with some people fascinated by the novelty, and others calling him out for animal cruelty."Your aquarium is amazing! I could stare at this all day," read a comment on one of his TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thegyp_aus/video/7205651282969824514?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7212518380259182081" target="_blank" rel="noopener">videos</a>. "This is way to small for these sharks. please get a way bigger one," read another on the same video.The 5,200-gallon tank currently houses 11 sharks — one black-tip reef shark, two 4foot-long white-tip reef sharks, two Port Jackson sharks, three epaulette sharks, two banjo sharks, and one bamboo shark, per <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-millionaire-responds-to-outrage-over-cruel-living-room-shark-tank-video-222824936.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News Australia,</a> citing @thegyp_aus.The tank is also home to other marine life, including moray eels and rays, per Yahoo.The whole set-up, including the sharks, cost him about $327,000, per Yahoo citing the man.<h2>The TikToker man told Insider that "the haters are simply jealous."</h2>"People are quick to criticize. Yet these people are hypocrites who go to zoos and pay money to see animals in cages," @thegyp_aus, who did not want to share his real name, told Insider.He added that he considers the sharks his babies, and he treats them "as any dog lover" treats their dogs. "In fact, I believe I do it better," @thegyp_aus said. He shared that he was told the dimensions of his current tank made it the "perfect size for reef sharks," and ensures the marine animals have perfect living conditions with regular saltwater changes."Jealousy is a curse. Yet it brings me a lot of views as the same people who provide negative comments, share the videos and follow my socials so secretly, they can't wait to see my next video or my latest live video," he told Insider.<h2>Animal welfare advocates are concerned. </h2>"This is a vanity project, having nothing to do with the fish and sharks themselves," marine mammal scientist <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=7c50ea9f7fbe25f4f9c32c9081cae37c085131b7108460235344272d8acf1755&amp;postID=646dc7618c8a4f02b81b87a4&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fnaomi-rose-a5235045%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naomi Rose</a> told Insider. Rose works for an American non-profit organization, the <a href="https://awionline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Animal Welfare Institute</a>, and is familiar with public aquariums."That's too many fish and sharks in a space that size. Just watching them bank and turn as they try to swim around clearly demonstrates how they are trying to cope with a space that isn't big enough for them and their swimming habits," Rose said. Rose also added that while she refrains from using the word "cruel" as it implies intent, the way @thegyp_aus appears to use his marine animals for shock value and views suggests intent and thus meets her definition of cruelty.As fish have almost no protections in any jurisdiction, @thegyp_aus's shark tank would most likely be legal in the US, said Rose.The marine biologist suggests people stop paying attention to him if they really want him to stop. "This is not a person who wants to do anything in a vacuum. They want attention. People shouldn't give it to them, because when they do, the fish suffer," said Rose.

An Australian man who installed a shark tank in his living room is receiving criticism for animal cruelty, but he thinks 'the haters are simply jealous'

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A shark pup that can 'walk' and was asexually conceived was just born at a Chicago-area zoo

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An Australian man who installed a shark tank in his living room is receiving criticism for animal cruelty, but he thinks 'the haters are simply jealous'

Reena Koh

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