Read shark researcher Mark Marks' responses on the following shark topics:

Disappearing sharks
Shark evolution
Shark deterrent?
Nonstop swimmers?
Shark posturing
Swimming with the sharks?
Shark diving
Shark education
Shark enemies
Shark reproduction
Great white disposition
Favorite shark
Shark eyes
Shark companions
Bite pressure
Bladderless sharks
Warmblooded killers
Hammerheads
Thresher sharks
Great whites in captivity
Shark protection

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Q: On Shark Enemies

Who are the enemies of the white-tipped reef shark?

Eddie H

A: Dear Eddie,
The white-tipped reef shark, Triaenodon obesus, is found primarily in the tropical Indo-Pacific, the same waters where a variety of other large shark species are found. In general, the main enemy of the white-tipped reef shark is man, especially from the "finning" industry. When these sharks are pups, they are certainly on the menu of other shark species, such as the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, and tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier. Juvenile sharks of nearly all species are vulnerable to predation from larger predatory fishes.

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Q: On Shark Baby Video

Dear Mark,
My question is, do we have any film on live great white sharks being born? I know they are very hard animals to track, but I am sure there must be some.

Thanks,
Mr. Savona

A: Dear Mr. Savona,
I would be equally excited to observe the live birth of a white shark. Unfortunately, not only has a white shark birth never been filmed, it hasn't even been seen, aside from a report of a female spontaneously aborting a number of pups due to stress while being accidentally captured in a commercial gill net. White sharks give birth to live "aplacental" (meaning without umbilical connection from the mother to the offspring) young. Very little is known regarding white shark reproduction, other than the physical evidence of almost gentle-type bite marks left on females during copulation. Mating behavior, e.g. mate selection and courtship, is still an area of elasmobranch research where it's truly going to be a matter of "...being in the right place at the right time!"

Did you know that sharks are quite sociable? Listen to an audio interview with Mark Marks.