Reproductive cycle
Sharks are K-selected species which means they reproduce slowly, have few offspring and nurture their young. This also means that at the rate humans are killing them, sharks face the possibility of extinction. Some scientists state that a sharks reproductive cycle can take up to three and a half years but that most take about two years. Additionally, sharks take 10 years or more to reach sexual maturity and only carry one or two pups at a time. Sharks have been around for so long that they have evolved in such a way that they are born ready to avoid predators and have an increased chance of survival. Humans are an unnatural predator to sharks and are severely disrupting the life cycle of these exceptional animals.