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The horn shark is preyed upon by larger fishes and the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), which consumes adults, juveniles, and egg cases. In addition, they are captured and eaten by bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) at Catalina Island, and large marine snails are able to drill into their egg cases to extract the yolk . [ 6 ]
Some egg cases have a fibrous material covering the outside of the egg case, thought to aid in attachment to substrate. [1] [6] Egg cases without a fibrous outer layer can be striated, bumpy, or smooth and glossy. [1] [6] With the exception of bullhead shark eggs, egg cases are typically rectangular in shape with projections, called horns, at ...
The Mexican hornshark (Heterodontus mexicanus) is a bullhead shark of the family Heterodontidae. This shark is grey-brown in color, with black spots scattered on the fins and body. It has a cylindrical trunk, conical head, and small spiracles behind the eyes. The snout of the Mexican hornshark is very round and blunt.
Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying up to 24 eggs from February to April. After laying, the female picks up the auger-shaped egg cases and wedges them into crevices to protect them from predators. Horn sharks are harmless unless harassed, and are readily maintained in captivity.
In most oviparous shark species, an egg case with the consistency of leather protects the developing embryo(s). These cases may be corkscrewed into crevices for protection. The egg case is commonly called a mermaid's purse. Oviparous sharks include the horn shark, catshark, Port Jackson shark, and swellshark. [80] [82]
Examples include the oviparous sharks, such as the horn shark, and oviparous rays, such as skates. In these cases, the male is equipped with a pair of modified pelvic fins known as claspers. Marine fish can produce high numbers of eggs which are often released into the open water column. The eggs have an average diameter of 1 millimetre (0.039 in).
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Shark related facts that have appeared in the Did you know ... the horn shark has the strongest known ... that the egg capsule of the crested bullhead shark has ...