Shark Tales

It usually takes two to tango in the world of shark reproduction, but in rare cases, a baby shark can be born when there are no males around. We dive into the weird and mysterious world of asexual shark reproduction with a scientist who can explain a phenomenon that might seem impossible.

Many shark scientists are pushing to change the language used to describe interactions between humans and sharks, but some survivors are wary. We talk to an Australian shark biologist who is pushing for the change and two survivors who are skeptical of the effort.

Sharks populations are rapidly declining and many species are in danger of extinction. We talked to shark researcher Apryl Boyle about why that would be devastating to all life, both underwater and on land.

Scientists have conducted countless studies on shark species around the world, but know very little about what happens when they mate. We talk to senior shark scientist Nick Whitney about his research into the mysterious mating rituals of nurse sharks.

A group of shark scientists watched hundreds of hours of Shark Week programming and didn't like what they saw. They told us their data shows that Discovery's annual cash cow has a diversity problem, and often sends the wrong message about sharks.

Fishermen and scientists can be at odds as researchers call for uncomfortable changes for both recreational and for-profit fishing. Jeff Kneebone has a foot in both worlds and wants to bring them together through research and understanding.

There's a shark the size of a house with teeth the size of your hand, but luckily for you they have been dead for millions of years. The megalodon was an impressive species of shark, but is there a chance that they still exist today? Not at all, but we are looking into why people are convinced that is the case.

A group of Black women working in shark science are trying to bring needed diversity to their field with their new organization, Minorities in Shark Science. MISS president Jasmin Graham told us that finding other shark researchers like her was shocking — “What, another Black woman in shark science? That’s wild!" — and what the group is doing to bring diversity to marine science.

Kara Yopak heads the Yopak Zombie Lab at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she studies what all zombies love: brains. She has a collection of shark brains that she believes holds the key to predicting shark behavior — just don’t ask her if sharks are smart.

And white sharks seem to behave differently in Canada’s waters than elsewhere, too, according to Heather Bowlby, lead researcher at the Canadian Atlantic Shark Research Laboratory at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. She took time from her research to tell us about what Canada thinks of great white sharks and what the sharks think of Canada.

Shark research legend Dr. Greg Skomal is back on the podcast to talk about getting a first-person view of a shark’s life and other ways his team has been tracking sharks off Cape Cod this summer.

Being a single shark mother is hard, especially when you have to worry about dad eating a baby or two. Dr. James Sulikowski, a shark expert at Arizona State University, shares some fascinating facts about shark babies and describes what it is like giving shark moms on-the-spot sonograms.

Ever wonder how a shark reacts to a hurricane? No they don’t combine with them like in the “Sharknado” movies, but it turns out sharks don't always get out of the way when a big storm hits, either. That's one of the things Bryan Legare, a shark researcher with the Center for Coastal Studies, told us about his studies of the fine-scale movements of white sharks in the Cape Cod area.

Shark Week has been airing on the Discovery Channel for decades and has had a major impact on the world of shark research and the public’s perception of sharks. We dive into this annual event with Marianne Long of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, which is featured in an episode this year, on why people keep coming back to the TV event and how it helps the future of shark research.

Dr. James Sulikowski had been studying sharks off Maine when a white shark killed a swimmer, the state's first deadly shark attack ever. He joined us to explain what we know about sharks in this area, how people should think about risk when swimming and how climate change factored in.

The world of shark research, much like the world of an undercover spy, is all about using the right tools to collect information. I talked with Megan Winton at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy about the exciting new technology they are piloting this summer to spy on sharks, including balloons that look like blimps flying over Cape Cod beaches.

Shark Tales is back at the start of a shark research season that has a very different feel. Coronavirus has brought a lot of changes to Cape Cod, so we caught up with the staff at the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy on what they are seeing.

Sharks have a tough public image and Cynthia Wigren, the founder of the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, dedicates her life to changing people's perspectives. Hear about why she founded the conservancy and her thoughts on the shark debate in Cape Cod.

Shark sightings and encounters grab the headlines, but there is so much more going on in the world of sharks. Research scientist Megan Winton talks about how statistics are essential in figuring out the "shark puzzle."

NOAA shark researcher Lisa Natanson digs into sharks to learn more about how they age and reproduce. We talk about some of the strange things she has found inside, and get into the weird development of shark babies

Seals play a major role in a shark's diet and the culture around these predators in Cape Cod. Researcher Andrea Bogomolni is studying seals to learn more about how they fit into our ecosystem. Learn more about what her research is finding, and why we should all agree that ticks are worse than sharks.

Nan-Sea? Cool Beans? Sharks in Cape Cod have been given a long list of unique names based on their looks, encounters and even memories of loved ones. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's research scientist, Megan Winton, explains their process for identifying sharks and shares some very special stories from the oddest names.

Dr. Greg Skomal is a shark biologist at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the face of shark research in Cape Cod during shark season. We talked about his decades of research into ocean life, dealing with media feeding frenzies and raising a family. (Collaboration with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy)

Married couple Chris and Monique Fallows have been studying a special area in South Africa where sharks can often be seen jumping out of the water. For over 20 years, they have captured photos and data on this unique phenomenon. Hear why this breaching occurs so much in their area, and how sharks came into play for their first date.

Wayne Davis is a pilot and photographer that currently flies around Cape Cod looking for great white sharks. His fish spotting skills are invaluable to shark research, and Wayne loves to see the ocean from his unique point of view. Hear some stories from a man who has been working over the ocean for decades.

Shark skin may not be as rough as you think and shark poop can be quite shocking. Marianne Long is the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Education Director and she has some thoughts on shark conservation (and plenty shark facts at her disposal.)

We kick things off with a look into shark research with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's research scientist Megan Winton. Hear how we could soon get a whole new perspective on sharks with exciting new technology.

Think you know everything about sharks off Cape Cod? See what NBC10 Boston and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy have in store for you this summer.