Our young citizen scientists are gearing up for an important mission: hunting for shark egg cases.

Some sharks, and some of their close relatives, lay eggs, and their cases come in all shapes and sizes. Baby sharks grow inside these protective capsules before wriggling free, leaving the empty case behind – sometimes to be found washed up on the beach.

They need to arrive well prepared, with a toolkit that includes a stick for rummaging through seaweed, a bucket, a camera or phone, a ruler, a field guide to egg cases, a map, paper and pen, and a first aid kit.

We’re also given helpful tips: wear sunscreen, pack water and snacks, take your rubbish home, and search at low tide. And of course – always bring an adult.
Noah, exploring the southwest of England, discovers a thornback skate egg case nestled in seaweed, its surface covered in pointy thorns. In South Africa, Ava is paddleboarding with her aunt. Peering underwater through her goggles, she spots a puffadder shyshark egg case, its curly tendrils wrapped around soft coral to stop it drifting away. Meanwhile in South Australia, William finds a Port Jackson Shark egg case lodged in rocks while snorkelling. He leaves it untouched – there may be a baby shark still growing inside.

This book encourages readers to become citizen scientists themselves, to look for these remarkable egg cases, and to learn more about the incredible animals that live in our oceans. The back of the book provides further information on a range of sharks from the brownbanded bamboo shark which uses its pectoral fins to ‘walk’ along the sea floor, to the zebra shark whose egg cases are lined with tufts of hair-like threads to anchor it to the sea. floor.

Another terrific release from CSIRO Publishing, inspiring curiosity about our natural world and reminding us to care for it.

Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 5+