Abstract
Sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) have distinct variations in behavioral patterns based on age, size, and the variable factors introduced to each individual’s environment. This can be studied at great length in aquarium settings, where clear boundaries can be set. It is crucial to understand how variable factors such as food, scuba divers, and species interaction affect the behavioral patterns of said sharks. It is even more crucial to understand how the juvenile male sandbar sharks are affected throughout the process, as hierarchal dominance has been previously exhibited. This study aimed to use instantaneous sampling in order to determine how variable factors would affect the two male juvenile sandbar sharks at the New York Aquarium. It was hypothesized that the behaviors would vary between the two subjects (Freddie, 8yo male juvenile sandbar and Stevie, 4yo male juvenile sandbar). Data was collected through 20-minute behavioral observation periods and plotted for visual analysis. Active swimming (AS) was seen to be the most common behavior observed for both Freddie and Stevie. Variation in abundance of the other possible observed behaviors was present between the two subjects as hypothesized. Results indicated that expressed behaviors have the potential to be linked to larger behavioral concepts such as hierarchal dominance and classical conditioning. Further studies should be conducted in order to determine the significance of these findings.