“Some sharks give birth to live young and others are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. California Horn Sharks lay these corkscrew egg cases. When it comes out its very pliable, but hardens over time. Hope this lil guy makes it.”
A seashell collecting TikToker came across bizarre find while walking along the shores of Southern California and the internet is ablaze about what exactly it is. Marine biologists and astute beachcombers will quickly identify the discovery as the telltale corkscrew egg of a Horn Shark.
David Ebert of California’s Pacific Shark Research Center explained to Science Friday that each egg contains a single shark embryo and enough nutrients to support the baby shark until it hatches six and nine months later depending on environmental circumstances.
Horn Sharks are one of the few sharks that display maternal care as they pick up their eggs and wedge them into rocks to keep them safe. The spiral exterior of the egg helps keep them in place. The kelp like coloring of the egg helps camouflage and providing and extra layer of protection.
Rebecca aka California Shelling does a close up on the egg and you can actually see a tiny embryo wriggling around inside before she put the egg into tidal pool and wished it luck.
@california.shelling Some sharks give birth to live young, and others are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. California horn sharks mothers lay these corkscrew egg cases. When it comes out, it is very pliable, but hardens over time. Hope this lil guy makes it! 🦈 #shark #sealife #oceanlife #fyp