🦈 For sand tiger sharks, the embryos don’t wait for the open ocean — the struggle for survival starts right inside the womb.⁠ In each uterus, several fertilized eggs develop. But as soon as the first embryo hatches, something remarkable happens: it begins to chase, attack, and consume its unborn siblings.⁠ ⁠ Scientists call this extreme behavior adelphophagy — literally, “eating one’s brother.”⁠ ⁠ By the time birth finally arrives, the survivor is already a fully formed little predator, equipped with sharp teeth, strong muscles, and a belly that still shows traces of victory.⁠ In the end, only two pups are born — one from each uterus. Two winners of a war no one has ever witnessed. A war that ensures only the strongest make it into the world.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #sandtigershark #sharks #marinebiology #biology #science #womb