How do you find out if a shark is pregnant?
In the past, scientists sometimes captured and dissected sharks to check if they were pregnant. This was not great for the sharks!
As technology improved, scientists could perform ultrasounds by capturing sharks and pulling them closer to their boats. This was hard work for scientists. And it was still stressful for the sharks.
Now, scientists have developed underwater ultrasound machines. While swimming with sharks, scientists can use these submersible ultrasound devices to check for babies. This technology is less invasive and causes less stress to the sharks.
Mongabay’s Then vs. Now explains:
What’s up, pup?
Not all shark pups start life the same way. Some female sharks give birth to live young, like bull sharks, hammerheads, and great whites. These types of sharks are called viviparous and ovoviviparous sharks.
Other female sharks lay eggs. These eggs incubate in the environment for months before hatching. Carpet sharks and catsharks are examples of egg-laying, or oviparous, sharks. Have you ever found a mermaid’s purse? This is the name given to a shark’s egg case.
Rarely, female sharks reproduce asexually, meaning that mom makes a pup without a male mate. You can learn more about how baby sharks develop here.
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More learning resources
NOAA: Eight surprising shark facts
NOAA: Sharpen your shark facts
NOAA: Five wild facts about shark reproduction
