Some sharks lay eggs whereas others give birth to live baby sharks. There are more sharks that give birth to live young than there are sharks that lay eggs. Interestingly, some sharks produce eggs but they do not lay them. Instead, the eggs hatch while they’re in the shark’s body.
In this article, we will take a look at whether sharks lay eggs, and which shark species they are. We will also look at how many eggs sharks lay.
Some sharks lay eggs, whereas others bear live young. Some sharks produce eggs but their young hatch while they’re inside their mother.
Next, we will look at whether all sharks lay eggs.
Do All Sharks Lay Eggs?
No, only approximately 40% of all sharks lay eggs. This is called “Oviparity”. When the eggs are first laid they are kept inside a protective case. This case is called a “Mermaid’s purse”. The egg’s case has tendrils. These allow the egg to attach itself to seaweed, the bottom of the ocean, or corals.
Incredibly, some species push the eggs in between rocks, or onto the bottom of the ocean. Interestingly, this is so the eggs can remain protected. Other predators like to eat shark eggs. Therefore, hiding them in between rocks or on the bottom of the ocean can help to protect them.
Does the Shark Egg Protect the Young?
The species of sharks that lay eggs have young who get nutrition from the yolk sac. Astonishingly, it might take a few months for the eggs to hatch. Interestingly, this gives the young time to develop before they have to fend for themselves.
As we have already seen, some sharks produce eggs. However, they do not lay them. Instead, the eggs hatch while they’re in the shark’s body. This ensures that the young have fully developed. In other words, the young spend a lot less time in the egg cases before they are hatched.
This is a good thing as the egg cases are immobile and make the baby sharks vulnerable. When the mother gives birth to their live young, the young are ready to fend for themselves.
What Species of Sharks Lay Eggs?
The species of sharks that lay eggs are:
- Bamboo sharks
- Carpet sharks
- Horn (bullhead) sharks
- Some Catshark
- Swell sharks
- Wobbegong sharks
The cases of the eggs that the above sharks lay are hard enough to protect them from sea predators. The eggs give the sharks time to develop properly before they hatch. Amazingly, when the eggs hatch the young are capable of protecting themselves against predators.
How Many Eggs do Sharks Lay?
It’s not always easy to determine how many eggs a shark will lay. Interestingly, the cat shark is thought to lay a small number of eggs. However, other sharks lay a lot more eggs.
Some Tiger Sharks lay quite a few eggs. However, they tend to be fertilized over time. The first Tiger shark to grow will eat all of its siblings. What this means is it’s the only Tiger shark to be born. Incredibly, the toughest Tiger shark is likely to be the one to survive. This is because it can kill all of its siblings.
How do Sharks Lay Eggs?
Some sharks lay eggs that are fertilized outside of their body. When the male shark fertilizes the eggs, they deposited eggs into egg cases (A “Mermaid’s purse”). The egg case is then expelled from the body into the sea.
As we have already seen, the expelled egg has tendrils. These allow the egg to attach itself to seaweed, the bottom of the ocean, or corals.
Firstly, this allows the young to develop fully while it’s still in the egg. Secondly, once the egg has fully developed the egg will hatch. Thirdly, as we have already seen, the sharks are fully able to protect themselves against predators. This just goes to show how developed the sharks are.
Do Great White Sharks Lay Eggs?
No, Great White sharks do not lay eggs. Instead, they gestate (Carry the fetus in their womb) for 1 year. Incredibly, Great White sharks can give birth to between 2 and 12 sharks at once.
Firstly, a large amount of baby sharks means more are likely to survive. Nevertheless, there are predators out there that will try to eat the baby sharks. However, the more baby sharks there are, the more are likely to survive.
Do Whale Sharks Lay Eggs
Whale sharks are viviparous. Firstly, this means the young have developed inside their mother’s body. Secondly whale sharks don’t have a placenta. Thirdly, large egg capsules contain premature young.
The baby sharks hatch in their mother’s body once they have developed fully. As we have already seen, this is to ensure the sharks are more likely to survive.
Do Hammerhead Sharks Lay Eggs?
Hammerhead sharks do not lay any eggs. Instead, the female gives birth to live young. Impressively, the female can give birth from 6 to 50 pups.
Firstly, a large amount of baby sharks means more are likely to survive. Nevertheless, there are predators out there that will try to eat the baby sharks. However, the more baby sharks there are, the more are likely to survive.
Do Tigersharks Lay Eggs?
Yes, in fact, Tigersharks are ovoviviparous. Incredibly, this means the shark produces eggs. However, the young once they are more developed will hatch. Impressively, Tigersharks give birth to live young.
Why do Some Sharks Lay Eggs Instead of Giving Birth?
Firstly, some sharks need to have a head start when it comes to maturing. This is so they’re less vulnerable to predators.
Do Some Sharks Multiply by Laying Eggs?
Yes. In fact, sharks display a lot of diversity in their reproductive modes. Impressively, Oviparous sharks lay eggs that develop outside their mother’s body. Nevertheless, the mother will not care for the sharks once the eggs are laid.
What is a Mermaid’s Purse?
A mermaid’s purse is the name of a shark’s egg case. The egg case is very tough. Incredibly, the egg case contains one shark egg. Impressively, the young shark will emerge from the case when it’s fully developed. The shape of the case is a lot like a purse. This is where the nickname comes from.
What Types of Sharks Lay Egg Cases?
Some of the species of sharks that lay egg cases are:
- Angel sharks
- Dogfish
- Swell sharks
As we have already seen, the egg case is very tough. This is where it gets its nickname. Incredibly, the egg case contains one shark egg. Impressively, the young shark will emerge from the case when it’s fully developed.
How do Sharks Reproduce?
The male shark grabs hold of the female shark by using its teeth. This ensures the make shark has a tight grip. Many female sharks have scars due to mating. The male shark inserts a clasper into the female. A clasper is an organ that sends semen into the female shark.
The female could store the semen. However, this depends on the species of shark. The female shark ovulates and oocytes are released. Oocytes are cells that contain ovaries. A case houses the fertilized ova. A yolk sack and the ovum are located in the egg.
The female might hatch the eggs inside her. Alternatively, she might lay the eggs soon.