Baby sharks! 🎶 Keeper Marcus tells us these incredible-looking chain catshark embryos were about four months into their development when this clip was taken – and they still had seven months to go! The candling process shown here allowed the keepers to get a good look at the embryos as they developed, making sure their development was going well. The small sharks hatched in February and were moved into a special space for shark pups. 📸mcamardella | New York Aquarium

DYK chain catsharks are one of the few elasmobranch species (sharks, rays, skates) that exhibit bioluminescence? This deep sea shark relies on its “chain” patterning to hide itself from predators, but its green biofluorescence allows it to find other catsharks. In 2016, shark scientists discovered these animals have monochromatic vision but a sensitivity to green light. #SharkSaturday Our team recently incorporated a fluorescent training tool to our chain catshark target training to help the ani

In this incredible video captured by aquarium supervisor Jenn Rant, a female chain catshark is depositing an egg case on a piece of artificial kelp. The tough, protective egg cases of egg-laying sharks and rays are called “mermaid’s purses" and they tend to have long curly strands called tendrils at each corner to affix them to rocks or kelp. The incubation period for chain catshark eggs averages 8-12 months. The chain catshark egg cases featured at the end of the video were about four months in

Feeling fin-tastic about feeding time this #SharkWeek! 🦈 Meet the chain catshark (Scyliorhinus retifer), our jaw-some friends here at the VIMS Visitor Center! We have a tank with two of these amazing sharks. Typically measuring 50 to 70 cm, they feature light gray and brown colors with a chain pattern that allows them to camouflage among their environment. Found in the western Atlantic at depths of 200 to 600 meters, they’re masters of disguise in rocky habitats. Chain catsharks primarily feed

While the majority of sharks give birth to live young, chain catsharks are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. The eggs are laid in protective cases called mermaid’s purses. The female shark in this video filmed in Ocean Wonders: Sharks! is shown “tying” the long curly tendrils of the egg cases to kelp to anchor them. This prevents the developing eggs from being swept away by tides or currents. Anchoring the egg cases is crucial to protecting them for the next eight to twelve months until they hat