Love bites? Pre-copulatory behaviours of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Researchers at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, have documented pre-copulatory behaviors of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), shedding light on a poorly understood aspect of their reproductive biology. The study observed a sexually mature male exhibiting following and biting behaviors toward a smaller female, consistent with courtship patterns seen in other elasmobranch species. These findings align with anecdotal reports from fishers, pilots, and aquarium observations, providing the first field-based evidence of such behavior in wild whale sharks. The research utilized direct field observations to capture these rare interactions, offering valuable insights into the mating strategies of this enigmatic marine species.

Barry, C., Lester, E., Doane, M. P., Ferreira, L. C., Thums, M., Gleiss, A. C., & Meekan, M. G. (2025). Love bites? Pre-copulatory behaviours of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Frontiers in Marine Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1507072