Kimmeridge Egg Case Hunt

Some of our intrepid
explorers with their finds

A Mermaid's Purse.
Copyright Steve Trewhella

The Easter Holidays started with a bang. Enthusiastic families braved the weather to join our expeditions on the Kimmeridge Great Egg Case Hunt and Marine Egg Hunt.

On the lookout for eggs!

Armed with identification guides and their keen eyesight our intrepid explorers joined us sifting through the strandline and seaweed to look for the tiny live eggs of sea snails and fish.

We were also on the lookout for empty shark and ray egg cases, known as ‘mermaid’s purses’. These tough leathery egg cases with their characteristic four horns or curly tendrils are home to a developing shark or ray embryo which grows over several months hidden upon the seabed. Once hatched, the egg cases wash up offering anyone lucky enough to find one, a tantalizing glimpse into what is going on under the waves around the local coastline.

Lots of interesting finds

Intrepid explorers found a high number of egg cases from the prickly thornback ray, the beautiful spotted ray and the large blonde ray. Most rays measure a mere 10cm in length when born and in the case of the blonde ray, growing up to 130cm as an adult! A number of tiny cases were found from the striking small-spotted cat shark named because of their typically yellow or greenish cat like eyes.

These finds will be added to the Shark Trust’s records to help them identify areas of the coast where egg cases regularly wash up. These areas may indicate that nursery grounds are nearby which can help with the much needed important conservation of sharks, skates and rays.

Look out for egg cases all year round!

Egg cases can be found throughout the year and can turn up on all beaches throughout the county. If you are lucky enough to discover one, get your free identification guide at the marine centre, email us a photo or have a look at the Shark Trust website www.eggcase.org. You may have an unusual find!