Yes, some shark eggs are bigger than ostrich eggs. While ostrich eggs are the largest eggs laid by any living bird, certain species of sharks, specifically whale sharks, produce eggs that are significantly larger.
Here's a breakdown:
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Ostrich Eggs: Ostrich eggs are the largest single cells produced by any living bird. They typically measure around 15-18 cm (6-7 inches) in length and weigh around 1.4 kg (3 pounds).
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Shark Eggs: Most sharks are viviparous (give birth to live young). However, some are oviparous, laying eggs encased in leathery egg cases, sometimes called "mermaid's purses." These egg cases vary in size depending on the species. While many shark egg cases are smaller than ostrich eggs, the whale shark (the largest fish in the world) produces exceptionally large eggs.
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Whale Shark Eggs: While the exact size of a fully developed whale shark egg is debated and rarely observed, there is evidence that they are substantially larger than ostrich eggs. One pregnant whale shark was found to contain an egg that was approximately 60 cm × 40 cm × 20 cm (23.6 × 15.7 × 7.9 inches). This is significantly larger than an ostrich egg. However, it is important to note that whale sharks usually give birth to live young and the egg found could be an abnormal occurence.
Therefore, while the vast majority of shark eggs are smaller than ostrich eggs, whale shark eggs (when they exist) are much larger.
