Charlotte the stingray, capable of getting pregnant without a male, has died: a story of strong female energy
3 july 2024 в 03:37
Did you know that a female stingray is capable of getting pregnant without the help of a male? They say it’s true feminine energy. Well, that’s what happened with the late stingray Charlotte, who unfortunately passed away on Sunday, June 30.
This mammal lived in North Carolina and resided in a small aquarium where there were no male stingrays for the past eight years. Although her pregnancy was unexpected, it was found that Charlotte underwent parthenogenesis — a form of asexual reproduction that usually occurs in invertebrates.
There was a moment when a theory arose about Charlotte’s companions in the aquarium, which consisted of two male bamboo sharks. Researchers noticed bite marks on the stingray and linked it to the behavior of the shark. Usually, after mating, a shark is prone to biting, but these two species are considered «genetically so far apart that it is not considered possible», - said Warren Booth, associate professor of entomology at Virginia Tech University, NPR.
Although it was expected that she would give birth to her offspring within the usual gestation period of three to four months, she exceeded the limit, causing concern. Later, in May, it was announced that Charlotte was no longer expecting offspring.
Due to many health issues, the Aquarium and Shark Lab team from ECCO announced in a Facebook post on May 30: «Reports show that Charlotte developed a rare reproductive system disease that negatively affected her reproductive system. These results are truly sad and unexpected».
A month later, the aquarium wrote on Facebook: «We regret to inform you that after continued treatment with her medical team and specialists, our stingray Charlotte passed away today. We continue to work with her medical team and research specialists. The ECCO family thanks you for your love and support as we mourn this great loss».
They added that the institution «will remain temporarily closed, during which time our staff will continue to care for our other fish and animals on a daily basis».
This stingray was a favorite of many and even received recognition on Saturday Night Live during the «Weekend Update» segment.
«Michael, Michael, Michael, boy, I have news for you — you’re going to be a dad… I’m a little nervous right now. All this attention — it’s a lot for me», - joked Ego Nwodim, dressed in a stingray costume, embodying the inner Charlotte.
Additionally, Jimmy Kimmel intervened and joked about this topic on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live on February 13
This mammal lived in North Carolina and resided in a small aquarium where there were no male stingrays for the past eight years. Although her pregnancy was unexpected, it was found that Charlotte underwent parthenogenesis — a form of asexual reproduction that usually occurs in invertebrates.
There was a moment when a theory arose about Charlotte’s companions in the aquarium, which consisted of two male bamboo sharks. Researchers noticed bite marks on the stingray and linked it to the behavior of the shark. Usually, after mating, a shark is prone to biting, but these two species are considered «genetically so far apart that it is not considered possible», - said Warren Booth, associate professor of entomology at Virginia Tech University, NPR.
Although it was expected that she would give birth to her offspring within the usual gestation period of three to four months, she exceeded the limit, causing concern. Later, in May, it was announced that Charlotte was no longer expecting offspring.
Due to many health issues, the Aquarium and Shark Lab team from ECCO announced in a Facebook post on May 30: «Reports show that Charlotte developed a rare reproductive system disease that negatively affected her reproductive system. These results are truly sad and unexpected».
A month later, the aquarium wrote on Facebook: «We regret to inform you that after continued treatment with her medical team and specialists, our stingray Charlotte passed away today. We continue to work with her medical team and research specialists. The ECCO family thanks you for your love and support as we mourn this great loss».
They added that the institution «will remain temporarily closed, during which time our staff will continue to care for our other fish and animals on a daily basis».
This stingray was a favorite of many and even received recognition on Saturday Night Live during the «Weekend Update» segment.
«Michael, Michael, Michael, boy, I have news for you — you’re going to be a dad… I’m a little nervous right now. All this attention — it’s a lot for me», - joked Ego Nwodim, dressed in a stingray costume, embodying the inner Charlotte.
Additionally, Jimmy Kimmel intervened and joked about this topic on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live on February 13
© Kolganov Andrey
