Do Great White Sharks Lay Eggs?

Great White Sharks are among the most fascinating creatures that roam the depths of our oceans. These majestic predators have captured the imaginations of people around the world, but few know much about their reproductive habits. In this blog post, we will explore Great White Shark reproduction, shedding light on the mating behaviours, gestation periods, and more.

Mating Behaviour

Great White Sharks have a reproductive system known as internal fertilisation. This means that the male shark will insert one of his two claspers (a modified pelvic fin) into the female's cloaca (a common opening for the reproductive, excretory, and digestive systems) to deposit his sperm.

Great White Sharks are not monogamous and will mate with multiple partners during a breeding season. Great White Sharks have never been witnessed mating or giving birth however scientists do know the location of certain Great White Shark pupping grounds around the world and mating scars have been documented.

Image above of two claspers (a modified pelvic fin)

Image above of a female's cloaca (a common opening for the reproductive, excretory, and digestive systems)

Gestation Period

Scientists believe after fertilisation, the female Great White Shark will carry her embryos in her uterus for around 11 months, give or take a few weeks. During this gestation period, the embryos will feed on unfertilised eggs in the mother's uterus, a process known as oophagy. The female Great White Shark will give birth to live young, called pups, in the late summer or early fall in respective areas of the world.

Pup Development

Great White Sharks give birth to live young, the pups are born fully formed and able to swim. They are about 4 to 5 feet long at birth and weigh around 60 pounds. The pups will immediately swim away from their mother to begin their lives as independent hunters. They are not cared for by their mother and must fend for themselves from the moment they are born.

Conservation Concerns

The reproductive habits of Great White Sharks have important conservation implications. Great White Sharks are currently classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with populations decreasing due to human activities such as overfishing and habitat destruction.

Because Great White Sharks have a slow reproductive rate, growth rate and take longer to reach sexual maturity it is crucial that conservation efforts focus on protecting known breeding grounds and pupping grounds as well as a wider spectrum of Great White Shark habitats reducing human activities that threaten their populations.

In conclusion, the reproductive habits of Great White Sharks are fascinating and complex. From their internal fertilisation to their lengthy gestation period and independent pups, there is much to learn about these incredible creatures. By understanding their reproductive habits and working to protect their populations, we can help ensure that Great White Sharks continue to thrive in our oceans for generations to come.