Magnetoreception: The Ampullae of Lorenzini are like little semiconductors connected to snout pores that help to give sharks the ability to detect and orient to the Earth’s magnetic field. A Tail of Two Sharks PRODUCE FEW YOUNG - varying from 2 pups for the Bigeye Thresher and up to 135 for the Blue Shark. Compare this to the reproduction potential of bony-fish who release millions of eggs. Join the Shark Trust for an online session about the current state of shark conservation, the key facts and figures and how we can engage visitors in concrete action for sharks. Vibration/Pressure: The shark’s lateral line is made up of a row of small pores that run all the way from the snout to the tail. It allows them to feel pressure changes in the water and vibrations of nearby prey and predators.

Fin-mounted technology, such as accelerometers and cameras, are used to collect data about the movement of a shark’s body. They record video of a shark’s behavior and the ocean environment. Accelerometers use the same technology as cellphones to determine the pitch, roll, yaw, and speed of the animal as it swims. Fin-mounted cameras have helped researchers make discoveries about coral reefs , seagrass beds , and white shark feeding behavior . Spaghetti, Dart, or Roto Tags Many shark species have brains as complex as mammals, which enables them to process a wide range of senses. Sharks have the same 5 senses as we do plus a couple more... Ballard, WW, Mellinger, J, Lechenault, H, 1993. A series of normal stages for development of Scyliorhinus canicula, the lesser spotted dogfish (Chondrichthyes: Scyliorhinidae). Journal of Experimental Zoology 267 (3), 318–336.

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GRUESOME FACT – Sandtiger pups not only eat unfertilised eggs but their un-hatched siblings too! This is called intrauterine cannibalism. Besides being fun to say, ovoviviparous sharks have eggs that hatch inside of the womb and the shark has a live birth. This might sound just like the viviparous pups above, but there is no placenta involved. Pups live on a yolk sac until they are ready to hatch. The first shark to hatch from its egg will then consume the other shark fetuses and their yolk sacs. Obviously, ovoviviparous give birth to small litters. The protective capsule acts as a life-support machine, containing everything that's needed. The embryo absorbs nutrients from a yolk-sac before hatching. And emerges as a miniature version of the adult.

All shark releases so far have been public events, with the public and various dive clubs and organisations coming along to wave the sharks off. Dive clubs have even supported the releases by providing equipment such as air tanks for the divers involved. The shark pups can be viewed for a short period of time before they are taken down to depths of around 20 metres in a suitable habitat and released by the volunteer divers. For many, the Natural History Museum is a place that inspires learning, gives purpose and provides hope. People tell us they 'still get shivers walking through the front door', and thank us for inspiring the next generation of scientists. To reverse the damage we've done and protect the future, we need the knowledge that comes from scientific discovery. Understanding and protecting life on our planet is the greatest scientific challenge of our age. And you can help. Q: Is it feasible to keep any species of shark in a home marine tank? I’d love to hatch a shark egg out and rear the youngster. I have space for a tank of approximately 3x1.5m in my garage, with room for a sump underneath. Skate, chimaera and some shark species produce eggs encased in a tough 'leathery' eggcase. A female may spend a long time laying her eggs, ensuring they’re securely fixed in a safe place. It can take between 6-9 months before they’re ready to hatch.Whether you’ve submitted one eggcase or thousands, every eggcase adds to the Great Eggcase Hunt database and helps us to gain a better understanding of egg-laying sharks, skates and chimaera. To improve their pups’ chance of survival, some sharks give birth, or lay their eggs, in nursery areas. Here the water is usually warm and shallow. There's a good food supply and few predators. Once pups have reached a good size they leave the safety of the nursery and enter the big wide world. A smalltooth sawfish shark with a satellite tag and yellow spaghetti tag. Fin-Mounted Smart Position and Satellite Tags