Every species reproduce in a different way.

Shark mating is not simple to observe, although most species do it while they swim parallel to each other and the male inserts a clasper into female’s oviduct.

There are three ways in which shark pups are born:

1. Oviparity.
Sharks lay eggs in a hidden place in the ocean.

2. Viviparity.
Sharks have placental links with the developing eggs and pups born alive and fully functional.

3. Ovoviviparity.
Eggs develop inside the oviduct and hatch inside the oviduct where they finish their development. Pups born alive and fully functional, but there are not placental links from the mother to the eggs.

Ovoviviparity is the method used by most shark species.

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There are three different ways in which every shark species reproduce.

While mating in sharks has been rarely observed, most species do it while they swim parallel to each other and the male inserts a clasper into female’s oviduct.

Oviparity
Sharks lay eggs in the ocean.

Viviparity
Very much like mammals, sharks have placental links with developing pups, nourish them and keep them until pups born fully functional.

Ovoviviparity
This is the most common reproduction method among sharks.

Eggs develop inside the oviduct of the mother and then hatch inside the oviduct where they finish their development using the remaining egg content to make pups born fully functional.

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Whale shark reproduction process is not known in detail.

Initially, whale sharks were believed to be oviparus, as some eggs were found in the bottom of the ocean. Later it was proved that such eggs were not laid by mothers but probably the result of abortions.

Further research proved later that they are ovoviviparus, meaning that even that they have eggs, they are kept inside the mother for growing until the pups are fully developed.

Eggs hatch inside the mother and pups keep receiving food from their surroundings until they are fully formed.

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The viviparous sharks who carry the eggs until the pups are born, have different gestation periods.

The dogfish shark is known to keep their eggs for 18 to 24 months.

The bull shark gestation is about one year.

The hammerhead shark gestation period is from 7 to 12 months.

Other species that are ovoviviparous carry the eggs until the pups born alive and fully developed. They also have long gestation periods.

The tiger shark gestation is about 14 to 16 months.

The great white shark gestation is about 11 months.

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