When rays and skates hatch from thier eggs they instinctively right themselves so as to be able to breath through thier gill slits. Something to keep in mind if you ever find a mermaids purse on the beach.

5 comments

1. I remember finding them as a child on the beach.

   I also used to love eating skate.

   When I was very young (3), we shared a house with a man called Jack, he would catch some skate and, hang it up and leave it to dry, it was ready when the blue bottles stopped landing on it.

   Then he’d fry it on the pan, on a big old oven/range and eat it all.

   I can still see him cooking it.

2. Creature. What is the tendril things for on the egg?

3. If you ever find these on a beach here is a great resource to help identify them. https://www.sharktrust.org/pages/faqs/category/eggcases-of-british-isles-nw-europe

4. They’ve such a beautiful little face, don’t think I’ll be eating one again if I can avoid it

5. I hate accidentally stepping on these feckers. One because I feel bad in case I hurt them. Two because it’s a really creepy sensation.