TikTok is no stranger to making trends nationwide or having small stories and businesses blowing up. Now they are doing it again as all eyes are on Charlotte the virgin stingray. She was in an enclosure with no male stingrays and only sharks for nine years.
Charlotte had millions captivated by her story when the Aquarium & Shark Lab in Hendersonville, North Carolina, revealed in February that she had been pregnant through parthenogenesis — the technical phrase for a virgin birth — and it startled the entire globe. Rightfully so, considering that Charlotte is the first ever alleged case of a stingray having the ability of parthenogenesis in history. This is a historical event. Although, while some people believe we are witnessing a historical moment, others are saying it’s just speculation.
Online users have wondered if Charlotte the stingray, may have mated with two young male sharks, who were brought to the tank in July. It is quite improbable. Although they are linked, stingrays and sharks are distantly related, “Thus, the likelihood of them mating together is quite low,” according to Becca Thomas, curator at Sea Life Aquarium.
Charlotte and Her Pups
Thomas continued on saying, that though there is no doubt that this is not spectacular, it might not be historical just yet. A female stingray may retain a male’s sperm for an extended amount of time. So if the female ray was housed with a male ray,
at any point within the last months or potentially even years, depending on the species, it is possible that they could have naturally populated, and it’s just now activating. She expressed her gratitude that this unseen event is drawing attention to sharks and rays.
Even though Thomas doesn’t know everything — nobody will until the puppies are DNA-tested. For that exact reason, there are so many people invested in this store. Through the ups and downs, the world is excited to see her pups. Unfortunately, the world was disappointed last Wednesday when there was an update that she had still not given birth.
She is reportedly past her due date and was supposed to have given birth at least three weeks ago. This led the aquarium to believe that she might have had a mischarge. Fortunately, an ultrasound confirmed that her pups were still alive and well. Stingrays must give birth to their young with the ability to swim in order for them to survive which led experts to believe that that’s why she is late. Regardless, they believe that she can give birth at any minute. The aquarium updates everyone on its condition through Facebook and TikTok.
Where to Get Information
Through the rumors of how she conceived her pups and how her condition is causing a lot of false information, there are still ways to follow along and get the right information. Websites such as WCNC Charlotte’s Verify series. Which focuses on ensuring the community receives accurate information in an effort to change the Carolinas.
WCNC Charlotte provides a succinct summary of what is known and unknown. The response can come as a surprise at times it’s all based on facts.
Another great way to get the information is straight from the source. Team ECCO shared on TikTok on Feb. 21, 2024. the video of Her and her and here pregnant Bally.
Other Ray Information
They also post updates on Charlotte and her conditions from the health of her pups to her increased apatite. Team ECCO also encourages people to take this opportunity to learn about both sharks and stingrays. There are many amazing things that animals can do and this is just one of them. Although this is something that doesn’t happen every day it is something that can happen and with more information not only will people be entertained but they will be able to understand what is going on as well.
Regretfully, stingray populations are declining. The three biggest risks to rays are habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change. In Chinese medicine, they are also hunted for their gill rakers, which are used for feeding. Furthermore, 107 of the 539 ray species that have been evaluated are currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. People can’t help if they don’t know that there is a problem. If stingrays went extinct already, we would not have this mystery miracle that we have today.
By: Jada Dunkentell
Sources:
USA Today: Charlotte the stingray: Ultrasound released, drink created in her honor as fans await birth
Daley Mail: Officials release update about Charlotte the virgin stingray’s pregnancy as concern grows among fans
Earth Sky: Charlotte the Stingray is still pregnant … without a male
Adventure: The immaculate conception of Charlotte the stingray
WCNC: Can a stingray mate with a shark? We get the facts
National Geographic Kids: 14 FACTS ABOUT STINDRAYS!
Featured Image Courtesy of Jaysin Trevino‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Image 2# Courtesy of mark_whatmough‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Image 1# Courtesy of richard_clyborne‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
