What is mermaids purse?

A mermaid's purse is a protective egg case laid by some species of sharks, skates, and rays. The egg case is typically rectangular or cone-shaped, with long tendrils on each corner that help the egg case attach to the ocean floor or seaweed.

Mermaid's purses serve as a protective casing for the developing embryo inside. The leathery outer shell of the egg case provides protection from predators and rough ocean conditions. The embryo inside the egg case gets oxygen through small pores in the shell and is nourished by the yolk of the egg.

After the embryo develops and hatches, the empty mermaid's purse may wash ashore on beaches and be found by beachcombers. They are often considered interesting and unique treasures to some people.

Different species of sharks, skates, and rays produce different shapes and sizes of egg cases, each uniquely adapted to suit the needs of the developing embryo.