Rare video captures following and biting courtship behavior in elusive whale sharks

Courtship and procreative behavior in many species of elasmobranchs—cartilaginous fish including rays, sawfish, sharks, and skates—may include following and biting. However, there has been little research on procreative behavior specific to whale sharks (Rhincodon typus). Now a multi-institutional research team from Australia has observed a sexually mature male whale shark following and biting a smaller female in the wild.