Biology

Blue sharks are viviparous, giving birth to live young after a gestation period of nine to twelve months (6) (7). Up to 135 pups can be born per litter, partially depending on the size of the female, but the average is 25 to 50 (5) (6). Maturity is reached at approximately five to six years old and blue sharks are known to have lived to 20 years (7). Although often observed cruising slowly and sluggishly the blue shark is capable of rapid movement if it is excited or feeding (6). This species will often circle its prey before moving in to attack it. Blue sharks primarily feed upon relatively small prey, such as bony fish and squid, but will also take larger prey including mammalian carrion (1).