Sharks and Birth: Misconceptions

While it is true that some species of sharks exhibit a behavior known as "embryonic cannibalism" or "oophagy," where the developing embryos consume their unhatched siblings while inside the mother's womb, the claim that female sharks lose their appetite during birth to avoid eating their own offspring is not accurate.

Sharks are known to have different reproductive strategies, and not all species engage in embryonic cannibalism. Some sharks give live birth to fully developed pups, while others lay eggs and the embryos develop outside the mother's body. In the case of viviparous (live-bearing) sharks, the mother provides nutrition to the embryos through a placental connection or by producing eggs with yolk sacs. The embryos rely on these sources of nourishment, rather than their mother's body.

It's important to note that during the birthing process, female sharks are not actively trying to eat their offspring. They may exhibit changes in behavior, such as becoming more restless or seeking out specific areas to give birth, but these behaviors are not related to suppressing their appetite. The mother's primary focus during birth is to deliver her pups safely into the water where they can fend for themselves.

So, while some shark species may exhibit cannibalistic behavior among their embryos, the claim that female sharks lose their appetite during birth to avoid eating their own young is not accurate.