Officials give update on Charlotte the pregnant virgin sting ray as fans grow concerned

When we're told the animal kingdom's equivalent of the Virgin Mary is due to give birth 'any day', you better believe people will be eagerly awaiting the birth announcement.

So seen as though Charlotte the sting ray is really keeping us on our toes, those who are keeping up with her supposed immaculate conception have grown quite concerned for the creature.

But don't worry, as you can look at the latest footage of her here:

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few months, you'll already be well aware that the sea creature somehow got pregnant, despite not having a mate in her tank at The Aquarium and Shark Lab in North Carolina.

Charlotte has become quite the celebrity since staff noticed she was growing increasingly swollen in September last year, prompting them to perform an ultrasound.

It revealed that the stingray was pregnant with four pups, but left her carers with more questions than answers as she had not come into contact with a mate.

There are no possible fathers in the mum-to-be's tank, so obviously the fact she is with child has caused quite a stir.

The Aquarium and Shark Lab told fans of Charlotte that she was expected to give birth 'any day now' back in February, but there has still not been any sign of her babies.

Female sting rays usually mate with multiple males in the spring before popping out their kids - usually measuring up to 8cm wide - around three to four months later, but pregnancy can last longer depending on the temperature of the water.

Charlotte still hasn't birthed her pups (Instagram/@teamecco)

Seen as though her pregnancy was first detected in September last year, social media users have grown both inpatient and worried while awaiting Charlotte's birth.

One said: "I want Charlotte to stop holding me hostage with this pregnancy lol."

Another joked: "Can she just get a sea-section?"

A third added: "I was betting that she would deliver during the eclipse."

A fourth chimed in: "Bro get that baby out of her! This has gone on way too long."

While a fifth wrote: "Okay Charlotte this is getting out of control lol."

For now, fans of the underwater creature will have to make do with the latest update on her journey into motherhood.

Taking to Instagram, Team ECCO at The Aquarium and Shark Lab shared a sweet video of a heavily pregnant Charlotte whizzing around her tank, while being hand fed by a diver.

The post shared on Wednesday (10 April) explained: "Charlotte is continuing on her journey with Parthenogenesis!

The sting ray was seen swimming around and getting hand fed from a diver (Instagram/@teamecco)

It continued: "She continues to be healthy and has a great appetite! She also initiates interactions with the divers and guests as seen in this video with diver Jacob!

"We thank you for your kindness and support as we continue on this journey of scientific learning. Enjoy the video!"

But sadly, there is no more news on her expected due date.

Experts reckon that a phenomenon, known as parthenogenesis, is the most likely explanation for Charlotte's immaculate conception, which is the scientific term used to describe a virgin birth.

Known as a form of asexual reproduction, it is when a female of the species can produce an embryo, despite the absence of sperm fertilising her eggs.

Essentially, an egg fuses with a cell in the mother's body, triggering cell division and leading to an embryo, making tiny clones.

Still, staff at the aquarium plan to carry out DNA tests following the birth to see if they carry the genes of a mystery father, but they expect that it will return no new revelations.

Someone better have Maury on standby for this one.