There are over 500 species of shark living in waters around the world and the majority give birth to live young. The remainder are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
Shark species that lay eggs tend to be bottom-dwelling, and include the wobbegongs, horn sharks, and some cat sharks. For the viviparous species, there are several strategies for nourishing the young during gestation.
Some sharks lay eggs, while others give live birth. Great white sharks gestate their pups for a year before giving birth – that's longer than humans. Between 2 to 12 babies are born at a time. Great whites can live up to 60 years, maybe more.
Port Jackson Sharks are oviparous, which means that the female lays eggs. The egg case is a tough, dark brown spiral about 7 cm to 8 cm wide and 15 cm long. It is common to see them washed up on beaches.
Only a few sharks, like cat sharks, lay eggs. But look out! A whole bunch of sharks give birth to live baby sharks, called pups. Mako sharks, bull sharks, lemon sharks, and blue sharks are a few examples of sharks that are born live.
Many sharks are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. Like all sharks, species such as blue, bull, and hammerhead sharks rely at first on a yolk sac for nutrition. But they also develop a placental connection similar to a mammal's umbilical cord.
There are over 500 species of shark living in waters around the world and the majority give birth to live young. The remainder are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
However, many people also noted that one should not pick up eggs that wash on the shore. Echoing this view, another person wrote, “Really cool find, when finding shark eggs or even sea turtle eggs/ baby sea turtles, contact your local aquatic center or marine wildlife rescue center.
The white shark is widely distributed throughout temperate and sub-tropical regions in the northern and southern hemispheres. It is most frequently found off southern Australia, South Africa, northern California and the north-eastern United States.
Ovoviviparity: Most sharks are ovoviviparous; they combine the first two methods. They produce eggs, but instead of hatching outside the body as in oviparity, the eggs are carried within the female for the gestation period. When the egg hatches, the shark pup continues developing inside the female until it's born.
Some sharks such as the nurse shark have spiracles that force water across their gills allowing for stationary rest. Sharks do not sleep like humans do, but instead have active and restful periods.
Contrary to what some may believe, whales are not fish and do not lay eggs. Female whales carry their unborn fetus in the womb and when it is time to deliver, they will give birth to a live, oxygen breathing, baby whale.
All crocodiles lay hard-shelled eggs, which may weigh 50–160 grams (0.1–0.4 pound) each. A female lays an average of 12–48 eggs per nest, depending upon her age, size, and species.
Dolphins give birth to live young and do not lay eggs. They can get pregnant on average every two to four years once they're mature, although some species can have 5-7 years between births.
When and where do sharks attack? From 2021-2022, New South Wales and Western Australia were the most common states for human/shark interactions in Australia, with 14 cases within each state.
Australian Great White Sharks manage to inspire an incredible amount of fear and loathing with the general public. Referred to locally as White Pointers. That intense reaction has developed because when a Great White does attack a swimmer, surfer, spear-fisher or a diver.
Then head to Australia's westernmost point. Shark Bay — 800 kilometres north of Perth — became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 for the natural splendour of its waters, islands and peninsulas, which provide a home to more than 300 species of marine animals, including 29 types of shark.
Slowly back away
Try not to thrash and splash around as you gradually swim backwards toward shore. “You must try and keep the animal in sight and very slowly and gently try and swim backwards and get into shallow water. Again, you've got to be careful – large sharks can attack in very shallow depths.”
Can You Eat Shark Eggs? Yes, you can eat unfertilized shark eggs. They can be found in females fished out of the sea or at your local fishmonger if you can find a retailer that sells shark whole.
Oviparity –Oviparous sharks lay eggs, which are protected by an egg case, these are referred to as a “mermaid's purse”. The female shark deposits egg cases somewhere safe to protect them from being eaten by predators. The eggs are attached to structures on the sea floor by tendrils to prevent them from floating away.
The biggest shark in the world is the whale shark
Though there are some reports of larger individuals, the biggest specimen ever reliably measured was 18.8 metres or nearly 62 feet long! That's bigger than a school bus! Even though they're enormous, whale sharks pose no danger to humans.
Once again, assuming mermaids reproduce the way fish do, mermaid babies would be born by hatching from eggs. Though it is possible for mermaids to get pregnant and give live birth like dolphins.
Viviparity is the most advanced method of reproduction. The baby shark develops inside their mother's body, receiving nutrients and oxygen through an umbilical cord. This is the same method used by mammals. But, unlike mammals, when the pups are born they're immediately independent and have to fend for themselves.