How is the baby shark born?

Through live birth (viviparity): Female sharks give birth to live young, similar to humans and other mammals. The developing shark embryos receive nourishment through a placenta-like structure or a yolk sac within the mother's uterus. When fully developed, the babies are born as live sharks.

Examples of live-bearing shark species:

- Spiny dogfish

- Blue shark

- Great white shark

- Hammerhead sharks

Through egg-laying (oviparity): Some shark species lay eggs enclosed in protective egg cases or capsules. These eggs are deposited on the ocean floor, attached to seaweed or other substrates. The developing embryo inside the egg receives nutrients from the yolk sac until it hatches into a fully formed baby shark.

Examples of egg-laying shark species:

- Nurse sharks

- Dogfish sharks

- Cat sharks

- Swell sharks

Through ovoviviparity: In ovoviviparous shark species, the eggs are fertilized and develop inside the mother's body, but they don't receive any direct nourishment from her. The embryos rely solely on the nutrients stored within the egg yolk. When the eggs are ready to hatch, the female releases them into the water, and the baby sharks emerge.

Examples of ovoviviparous shark species:

- Lemon shark

- Blacktip shark

- Bonnethead shark

- Galapagos shark