Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Hi -

I found a horn shark egg on Padaro Beach on February 27, 2025. I was told I should let researchers know about it. Do you have contact info for researchers who might like to know. I also have photos which I am attaching here.

Thanks!
Julie

Julie - March 12, 2025

Curator Response

Hi Julie,

Thank you for your interest and concern about shark eggs. They are an exciting find! Reporting them to scientists without direct communication can be hard. A good way to reach them and their research is through community science (a.k.a. citizen science) projects. iNaturalist is a great website for submitting any natural observation you might find—from shark eggs to coyote scat—all natural observations are welcome there, and can be added to different projects to benefit research happening all over the globe. If you are interested in participating in a shark egg specific project, the Shark Trust has one that compiles shark egg sightings called the Great Eggcase Hunt.

If you come across a shark egg that hasn’t hatched yet, please leave it in the water, or (if found on the beach) move it to water. Horn Shark eggs should be left in rocky habitats, and Swell Shark eggs should be left in kelp forest habitats. Again, thank you for caring about these incredible animals, and for reaching out to help shark research.

Stay curious,

Sea Center School & Community Programs Specialist Kennedy Rivera