New research shows basking sharks are more flexible in their movements and thermal tolerance than previously thought, which may help them survive climate change.

South Australia will introduce the nation’s strongest protections for sharks and rays, driven by a community-led campaign spearheaded by PhD student Chloe Roberts and The Shark and Ray Coalition.

The research community has flocked to the social-media platform Bluesky. Tell us about your experience.

Researchers spotted the unique behaviour amongst the endangered species at Ningaloo Reef, and believe the "hassling" from males could be keeping female whale sharks away from the site.

Very little is known about the reproductive behaviours of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus). Here, we describe field observations of courtship behaviour by a whale shark at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. We witnessed and recorded following and biting behaviours by a sexually mature male of a smaller female. Following and biting are common events during courtship and copulation of other species of elasmobranchs. Our observations are consistent with earlier reports of courting behaviours in whale sharks provided by fishers, the pilot of a light plane and observations of courtship by a sexually mature male towards females held in aquaria.