Ovoviviparity is a combination of viviparity and oviparity. In this process, the eggs are fertilized inside the mother’s body, but they are not connected to a placenta. The female shark may spend a long time laying her eggs, ensuring they are securely fixed in a safe place. Crawford says Ledgerwood’s account is “vital” to scientists’ understanding of the elusive white pointer, which remain hunted and feared in spite of their protected status.

Once developed, the baby shark will hatch inside her mother, who’ll then give birth to the young. Gestation Period

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It is also important to note that, males or even females can also bite each other out of aggression as well. Males may be battling it out for access to females or preferred hunting grounds. Though the asexual type of reproduction is a very rare form of breeding that has only been observed in Hammerhead shark species.

Instead of laying her eggs, the female will carry them inside her body. Providing extra safety from potential predators. The embryos develop within an eggcase that has a thin membrane. Once developed the baby shark will hatch inside her mother, who'll then give birth to the young. In some species the pups aren't born immediately after hatching. Instead they stay in the uterus where they'll feed off unfertilised eggs. This is known as oophagy. Sharks and rays are amazing. Present in our seas for 400 million years, they are vital and valuable but also vulnerable. 1/3 of all shark, skate, ray and chimaera species are threatened with extinction, largely due to the impact of unsustainable fisheries. The Shark Trust works tirelessly around the World to ensure sharks and rays are suitably protected. Sharks invest a lot of energy into producing a few, well-developed young. Who have a good chance of survival. Males are always ready once in every year during the breeding season to copulate any female they get. That’s how often they mate.

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Tonic immobility is a reflex that causes a temporary state of inactivity in an animal. Similar to hypnosis. It occurs in a variety of different species, including many sharks and rays... It was an early November day in 1997 when Ledgerwood took the Shirley B out on the harbour, setting off from Dunedin and heading east towards Port Chalmers to fuel the boat up.