No gentle affair

Edwar Herreno's Image

Diving off the coast of Costa Rica, Edwar captured a frenzied scene as 30 to 40 male whitetip reef sharks attempted to mate with a female. ‘The action was wild,’ says Edwar, ‘with sharks spinning and sand kicking up.’

Shark eggs are fertilised internally. Males insert organs called claspers into the female, transferring sperm. This behaviour can appear violent as males firmly grasp the female’s fins with their jaws. While this can leave scars on their thick skin, it does not cause lasting harm.


Behind the lens

Edwar Herreno

Edwar Herreno

Colombia

Edwar's passion and love for the sea led him to become a marine biologist in 2002 at the University of Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Colombia. He has been living, travelling and working in different countries as a recreational scuba instructor, technical diving instructor, yacht captain, videographer and photographer, and has a wide range of experience in guiding diving expeditions.

Image details

  • Nikon D800
  • 105mm f2.8 lens
  • 1/125 sec at f22  •   ISO 500 Hugyfot housing Retra flash
  • Punta Maria, Cocos Island, Costa Rica
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Rough love

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