NEW CALEDONIA — In a first for marine science, researchers have documented leopard sharks engaging in a sexual encounter in the wild, and not just with one partner. The rare footage, captured off the coast of Nouméa, shows two male sharks mating sequentially with a single female, an observation scientists say could reshape understanding of the species’ reproductive behavior.

The encounter was witnessed by Dr. Hugo Lassauce, a researcher at the University of the Sunshine Coast, while surveying local shark populations. He noticed two males grasping the pectoral fins of a female on the seabed and decided to wait. After nearly an hour, the mating began.

“The whole thing was over in minutes,” Lassauce told researchers. The first male mated for 63 seconds, followed by the second in 47 seconds. Afterward, the exhausted males lay flat on the ocean floor while the female swam away with ease.

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The findings, recently published in the Journal of Ethology, mark the first confirmed record of leopard sharks mating in the wild.

Why this matters for shark science

• First evidence of mating: Leopard sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) had never been observed mating in their natural habitat until now.
• Rare behavior: While group mating has been seen in other shark species, sequential mating by two males is considered unusual.
• Conservation insight: Leopard sharks are globally endangered. Identifying a natural mating site in New Caledonia could be crucial for future protection strategies.

“It’s surprising and fascinating that two males were involved sequentially on this occasion,” said Dr. Christine Dudgeon, a marine ecology expert. “From a genetic diversity perspective, we want to find out how many fathers contribute to the batches of eggs laid each year by females.”

Conservation implications

Leopard sharks, also called zebra sharks, are threatened by habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change. Understanding their mating behaviors helps researchers design conservation strategies, including whether artificial insemination could supplement dwindling wild populations.

The new footage suggests Nouméa may serve as an important mating ground. If so, protecting this site could boost breeding success and improve survival odds for the species.

Sharks vs. dolphins: different strategies

Unlike dolphins, which mate frequently and often socially, leopard sharks were not thought to engage in group mating behavior. The discovery of a “threesome” challenges assumptions and underscores how little is known about shark reproduction.

As scientists continue to investigate, this observation may open the door to new genetic studies, revealing whether multiple males regularly father the eggs produced by a single female.