Bizarre News: Stingray At North Carolina Aquarium Pregnant Without A Mate

The internet is full of interesting stories. We see them every single day.  But somehow, I did not stumble upon this one.  Instead, a friend and co-worker sent it to me.  And it blew my mind, which only led me to go down the rabbit hole.  Have you heard about Charlotte the Stingray?

This bizarre story comes from Hendersonville, North Carolina.  Charlotte is a stingray who has spent most of her life in an aquarium in the Appalachian Mountains. Her natural habit is thousands of miles away off the coast of Southern California.

According to AP News, Charlotte has not shared her space with a male companion of her species in at least eight years. But now, Charlotte is pregnant. The aquarium's owner says she is pregnant with as many as four pups. But how does that happen?

Some news reports tried to suggest that it was one of the small sharks sharing Charlotte's tank.  But experts say that's impossible.

A scientist from the Georgia Aquarium, Kady Lyons, even weighed in on this unique and rare occurrence.  She believes this is the only documented example of this happening with round stingrays. But she's not surprised either, because other marine animals have experienced pregnancies like this in human care.

It's a rare phenomenon called parthenogenesis. It's a type of reproduction where offspring can develop from unfertilized eggs. It can happen with some insects, fish, amphibians, birds, and reptiles, but not mammals.

In Kady Lyons' words, "Nature finds a way of having this happen."

From watching videos on Team ECCO's Instagram, it seems Charlotte could give birth at any point now.  She has a large "hump" on her back where she's carrying the pups. They even have footage from ultrasounds they have done.

The most recent update was posted on 2/21/2024.  It shows Charlotte moving around in the tank. And now we wait...

The aquarium where Charlotte resides is run by an educational nonprofit called Team ECCO. It was started from a desire to bring the ocean to children and communities in North Carolina. The first Team ECCO Ocean Center opened in 2009.  The current location, which is being rebranded as Aquarium and Shark Lab, opened in 2011.

The goal of Team ECCO is to encourage an interest in science. The team studies behavioral imprinting with sharks, rays, and reptiles. They greet an average of 10,000 visitors annually. It's the only ocean education lab and immersive marine study center in Western North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee.

We're fully into Spring in the Augusta area.  Soon, the kids will be out of school for Summer.  And nothing makes for a great Summer like a beach trip.  Thankfully, we have quite a few great options when it comes to the best beach vacations that aren't too far away.

In fact, U.S. News - Travel has a list of the best family beach vacations in the U.S.  The list has 16 destinations.  In the top 10, 5 of those best beach spots are within a 6-hour drive from the Augusta area!

When looking for the best spots for families to enjoy a beach vacation, U.S. News Travel looked at factors such as safe waters, kid-friendly attractions, dining options, spacious accommodations, and appeal to all ages.

Let's check out the 5 best beach vacation spots for families that are conveniently 5 hours or less drive away from the Augusta area! These all made the top 10 list from U.S. News - Travel.

St. Augustine, Florida came in at number 9 on U.S. News - Travel's list.  Depending on which route you take, the drive is either right under 5 hours, or just slightly over.  Out of the spots within 5 hours from Augusta, this is the furthest.

St. Augustine is a historical city with so many things to keep the family entertained.  There are many exhibits like the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum. Exotic animals are on display at the St. Augustine Wild Reserve.  And of course, there's plenty of beach to enjoy!

Jekyll Island, Georgia was at number 8 on the list.  Jeyll has 7 beaches to enjoy.  There are tours and educational programs at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

This is a great spot to simply unplug and unwind.  It's also not a really far drive for Savannah if you're looking for additional dining and shopping, plus some history too.

Hilton Head Island is a shorter drive, but still a great beach vacation for families. Slow down and relax with beautiful beaches.  There's also golf courses, tennis courts, hiking and biking too. And take a walk or bike ride thorugh Harbour Town.

Amelia Island, Florida is a 13 mile island off the northeast coast of the state. It was ranked #5 on U.S. News - Travel's list. It has a great beach area, but also a great greenway and more than 300 acres of protected area to check out the local wildlife.  You can even enjoy more wildlife by checking out the river cruises.  There's also some great history and a beautiful downtown area to explore, shop, and dine.

Another South Carolina beach made the list... and actually ranked the #1 best family beach vacations spot!  Kiawah Island is less than 30 miles southwest of Charleston.  There are 10 miles of shoreline, but also has rugged nature to check out as well.  You can enjoy the beach, biking, kayaking, and more!