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 Eggcase FAQ's and Information |
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 Glossary:Capsule: Central capsule within the eggcase, within which the embryo develops. Capsule size: Given by length and width ranges based on data submitted to the Shark Trust. Capsule length includes both fields but excludes the horns. Capsule width includes the lateral keels. Concave: Curves/dips inwards. Convex: Curves/dips outwards. Distal: Bottom end of capsule. Fields: Flattened extensions at either end of the capsule, between the horns. Filamentous: Strap-like, like shoe-laces Keels: Flattened extensions running along either side of the capsule. Longitudinal: Along the length of the structure.
Oviparous: A mode of reproduction in which females deposit eggs on the sea bed, which hatch in less than a month to more than a year, producing juveniles which are miniatures of the adults.
Ovoviviparous: Live bearing in which the young are nourished primarily by the yolk in the yolk-sac, which is gradually depleted and the yolk-sac resorbed until the young are ready to be born.
Proximal: Top end of capsule where juvenile exits.
Viviparous: A reproductive mode where the maternal adult gives birth to live young.
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 Having dificulty identifying your eggcase? Check out our Eggcase ID Troubleshooter |
 Download the Eggcase ID Guide (Print Friendly Version) |
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On a shore, where am I most likely to find eggcases?
Eggcases, once they dry out, are very light and invariably get blown to the back of the beach. They can often be found in the grass on sand dunes, along the beach edge walls and enclaves sheltered from the wind.
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I have searched my local beach and I have never found any eggcases!!! Wh y not?
There are a number of reasons for not finding eggcases:
Although eggcases do wash up year round, they more commonly do so after stormy weather. It may be that you are searching after a period of calm weather.
Many beaches, especially tourist beaches are mechanically cleaned and so any extraneous material on the shore is cleared resulting in expanses of beaches absent of everything except sand.
The North Sea has seen a dramatic decline in Skate and Ray catches by fishing fleets over recent years. This has resulted in the populations of these animals there being almost non-existant. Consequently, eggcase hunting on the North and East of the UK has demonstrated this fact through numerous hunts finding no eggcases.
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I want to go looking for eggcases, is there any help you can give me?
Certainly! Around this site you can find information on the different eggcase you can find, resources to help ID them and also an online form which enables you to let us know what you found and also submit images of you hunting on the beach!
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| If you query is not answered here then check out the Shark Trust FAQ section to see if it is answered there... |
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