Shark, Skate & Ray Eggs
One often finds little seaweed-like packages washed up on beaches.
They are in fact shark, skate or ray eggcases and are commonly known as mermaids` purses.
left: common skate eggcase right: cuckoo ray eggcase
Once the female shark, skate or ray has laid the egg, she leaves it alone. Her task is done.
The eggcase is attached to rocks or seaweed and is very tough so that the embryo is safe until it has hatched.
painted ray embryo in egg
After about nine months, in the case of the Bull Huss Shark, Dog Fish and Painted Ray, the baby is ready to hatch.
It breaks through the case and swims free. It is able to feed, swim and protect itself.
baby painted ray
Alison Madgwick Sept. 2005
