Dried shorttail fanskate egg cases, which turn black when they dry, caught in marine debris. Image courtesy of ConservAccion. In total, the researchers recorded 75 clusters containing 1,595 egg cases.

After several months, they hatch and a full-grown shark or skate emerges. The discarded egg cases (also known as "mermaid's purses"), that once held so much life, often wash up on beaches when empty.

Perhaps one of the biggest and most surprising differences between skates and rays lies in how they give birth. Skates lay black, ravioli-shaped egg cases. Rays give birth to live pups.

Egg cases of sharks and rays can be found washed up on the shore. Citizen science data helps scientists understand the life cycles of these marine animals and how to best conserve them.

Beachcombers along the Texas coast have spotted an interesting find washing up in recent days—skate egg casings, often called "mermaid’s purses." ...

The whole thing is wild,” said marine biologist Cherisse Du Preez, describing a phenomenon that has rewritten assumptions of where life can exist. During summer 2023, Du Preez and her crew, on board a ...

Here are 7 top tips for a great egg case hunt: 1. Choose a beach that is well known for shark and skate egg cases. If you're not sure check on Biodiversity Ireland's maps. 2.

For the first time ever, a baby Maugean skate has hatched from an egg laid in captivity—and scientists are looking forward to more arrivals soon. It's an exciting time for marine ecologists at ...

“We had only seen about ten skates total during several dives when we stumbled on this area teeming with egg cases," said Beatriz Naranjo, a marine biologist at the University of Costa Rica, who ...