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  • eggcases-of-british-isles-nw-europe
  1. What We Do
  2. Citizen Science
  3. Great Eggcase Hunt
  4. British Isles & NW Europe

Eggcases of British Isles & NW Europe

To identify your find(s) you can use our Eggcase ID Guide to help narrow down your options. Or try out the Eggcase ID Key which takes you through the process step-by-step. You can also work your way through this page or download our app below.

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Does Your Eggcase Belong to a Catshark or a Skate?

Catshark eggcases often have long, curly tendrils at each end. These can often be tangled together with several other eggcases. In British waters, the exception to this is the Blackmouth Catshark - this species has small upper horns and no tendrils. But, as they’re a deeper water species, they aren't often recorded to the Great Eggcase Hunt.

Skate eggcases are more rectangular in shape with a horn extending from each corner (these'll be more obvious in some species than others). All the species listed below are actually true skate, despite some of their names including the word ‘ray’. True skate produce eggs, whereas true rays give birth to live young. Naming has long been an issue here in the UK, where many skate species are still referred to as rays.

Having Trouble Identifying Your Eggcase? 

Sometimes eggcases can be tricky to ID, especially if they’re damaged. But we’ve seen a lot of eggcases in our time, and we’re always here to help. If you’re having trouble just send us a photo (or the specimen) and we’ll get our eggcase experts on the case.

Verifying Your Record

Seeing the eggcase, or at least a photo, is important as it enables us to verify your record. So please do send us a photo with your submission - you can do this using our online recording form or via the app (iPhone/Android).


SHARK & SKATE EGGCASES

Click on the arrow to the right of the species names below to find out more about their eggcases. Shark species are listed first, followed by skates. We've then ordered them from the most commonly found to the rarest to help you more easily identify your find(s).

Once you've identified your eggcase RECORD your find(s) on our online recording website. Or you can record using our app.

Record Your Eggcase

SMALLSPOTTED CATSHARK (Scyliorhinus canicula)

Expand
Smallspotted Catshark Eggcase & Map
Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~5cm (ranges from 3–8cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~2cm (ranges from 1.5–3cm)

Range: Known throughout the Northeast Atlantic from Norway to West coast of Africa, and in the Mediterranean Sea. This is one of the most abundant shark species in British waters and as it's a coastal species, it's often encountered by divers and snorkellers.
 
Similar Eggcase: Similar shape to the Nursehound eggcase, but is much smaller in size.
 
Great Eggcase Hunt Records: Empty eggcases are frequently washed ashore and have been reported from around the majority of the British coastline. They're often found in very large numbers.

Published: 1st November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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NURSEHOUND CATSHARK (Scyliorhinus stellaris)

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Nursehound Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~10cm (ranges from 9–13cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~3.5cm (ranges from 3-4cm)

Range: In the Northeast Atlantic this species is present from southern Scandinavia and Shetland south to Senegal. It's also found in the Mediterranean. The Nursehound (or Bull Huss) is usually found in shallow waters close to rocky shores and is often seen by divers.
 
Similar Eggcase: Similar shape to the Smallspotted Catshark eggcase, but is much larger in size.
 
Great Eggcase Hunt Records: Verified eggcases are predominantly from the southwest of England and around the coast of Wales. In particular, large numbers are reported from western and northern Wales including from Aberystwyth and the Llŷn Peninsula. Underwater eggcases are often noted developing in large numbers close to shore.

Published: 2nd November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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BLACKMOUTH CATSHARK (Galeus melastomus)

Expand

Blackmouth Catshark Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~5cm (ranges from 3–7cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~2cm

Range:
This deeper water species is present in the Eastern Atlantic from Norway to Senegal, including the Mediterranean.

Similar Eggcase: Similar size and shape to the Smallspotted Catshark, but it has small upper horns instead of curled tendrils.

Great Eggcase Hunt Records: As they're a deeper water species, the eggcases are rarely washed ashore and recorded.

Published: 3rd November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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THORNBACK RAY (Raja clavata)

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Thornback Ray Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~12cm (ranges from 10–15cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~6.5cm (ranges from 5-8cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~4cm (ranges from 3–7cm)

Range:
The Thornback Ray has a widespread distribution across the Eastern Atlantic from Iceland to South Africa, including the North Sea, western Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea.

Similar Eggcase: The larger Blonde Ray eggcase. The smaller and textured Starry Skate. And the Small-eyed Ray which has narrower upper horns and shorter lower horns.

Great Eggcase Hunt Records: Thornback Ray eggcases are commonly reported and have been submitted from the majority of the British coastline.

Published: 4th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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SMALL-EYED RAY (Raja microocellata)

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Small-eyed Ray Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~15cm (ranges from 10–20cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~8cm (ranges from 7-9.5cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~3.5cm (ranges from 3–6cm)

Range: In the waters of the Northeast Atlantic, the range of the Small-eyed Ray extends from the British Isles down to Morocco. Around the British Isles, it's most common in the Bristol and English Channels and is thought to be largely absent from the North Sea.

Similar Eggcase: The upper and lower horns are distinctive, but the overall shape is similar to the Thornback Ray eggcase.

Great Eggcase Hunt Records: The majority of Small-eyed Ray eggcases are reported to the Great Eggcase Hunt from the southwest coasts of England and Wales (covering the English and Bristol Channels) as well as Jersey.

Published: 5th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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BLONDE RAY (Raja brachyura)

Expand
Blue Skate Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~21cm (ranges from 12–25cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~10cm (ranges from 8-13cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~6.5cm (ranges from 3–8.5cm)

Range: In the Northeast Atlantic you can find the Blonde Ray from Norway down to Morocco, and in the western Mediterranean Sea. It has a patchy distribution in the North Sea.

 
Similar Eggcase: Thornback Ray eggcases are a similar shape. But Blonde Ray eggcases are much larger with longer upper horns.
 
Great Eggcase Hunt Records: Verified records are mainly from southwest England, south Wales, and the Channel Islands, with scattered finds reported from the rest of the British coastline.

Published: 6th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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CUCKOO RAY (Leucoraja naevus)

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Cuckoo Ray Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~17cm (ranges from 15–20cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~5cm (ranges from 3-6.5cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~3cm (ranges from 2.5–3.5cm)

Range: The range of the Cuckoo Ray in the Northwest Atlantic extends from Norway down to Morocco, including the North Sea, Irish Sea, English Channel, and Celtic Sea. Present in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Similar Eggcase: You can identify a Cuckoo Ray eggcase by its small rounded capsule, lack of keels, and long upper horns. But if these horns are broken then it could be mistaken for the Spotted Ray.
 
Great Eggcase Hunt Records: The majority of verified records have been submitted from the south and west coasts of England and Wales, with sporadic reports from around the rest of the British Isles. Underwater submissions are mainly from scientific surveys in deeper water.

Published: 7th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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SPOTTED RAY (Raja montagui)

Expand
Spotted Ray Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~12cm (ranges from 10–15cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~5.5cm (ranges from 5-7.5cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~3.5cm (ranges from 3–3.5cm)

Range: The Spotted Ray is widely distributed in the Northeast Atlantic from the Shetland Isles and Norway (including the western Baltic Sea and North Sea) to Morocco. Present in the Mediterranean Sea and around the Canary Islands.

 
Similar Eggcase: The Undulate Ray eggcase is a similar shape. But the Spotted Ray is smaller, usually has fewer attachment fibres, and is more widespread around the British coastline.
 
Great Eggcase Hunt Records: Eggcases have been submitted from around most of the British coastline.

Published: 8th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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UNDULATE RAY (Raja undulata)

Expand

Undulate Ray Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~17cm (ranges from 15–19cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~8cm (ranges from 7-9cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~3.5cm (ranges from 3–4cm)

Range:
Undulate Rays have a patchy distribution in the Northeast Atlantic although can be locally abundant in some areas. They're present from the southwest of the British Isles down to Senegal, including the Canary Islands and the western Mediterranean Sea. The south coast of the British Isles represents the most northerly part of their range.

Similar Eggcase: The Spotted Ray eggcase is a similar shape but is smaller and can lack the attachment fibres often seen on the margins of Undulate Rays.

Great Eggcase Hunt Records: The majority of verified records submitted are from the south coast (particularly eastern English Channel), and around the Channel Islands.

Published: 9th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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STARRY SKATE (Amblyraja radiata)

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Starry Skate Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~10cm (ranges from 7–13cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~3.5cm (ranges from 3-4cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~3cm (ranges from 2.5–3.5cm)

Range: In the East Atlantic, the Starry Skate is present from Iceland and Norway down to the southern North Sea.

Similar Eggcase: The square shape is similar to the Thornback Ray. But this small eggcase has a very distinctive texture.

Great Eggcase Hunt Records: All verified eggcase records are from the North Sea, with the exception of one unusually large specimen found in Borth (Wales) which is outside of the expected range. Verified records are from Shetland down to Suffolk, including scientific surveys of underwater eggcases, and some submissions from the coast of Denmark.

Published: 10th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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FLAPPER SKATE (Dipturus intermedius)

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Flapper Skate Eggcase & Map

Previously known as the Common Skate, which is now known to have masked 2 species - Flapper Skate and Blue Skate.

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~23cm (ranges from 14–28cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~20cm (ranges from 13-24cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~12cm (ranges from 10-14cm)

Range: Europe’s largest skate was once widespread across large parts of the Northeast Atlantic; but it's now locally extinct from much of its former range. It's still present from Iceland, Norway, and the northern North Sea around to the western British Isles and Celtic Sea.

Similar Eggcase: The smaller Blue Skate eggcase.

Great Eggcase Hunt Records: The majority of Flapper Skate eggcases submitted have been from Orkney, indicating important grounds for this Critically Endangered species. Other confirmed reports include around Scotland (particularly the west coast) and surrounding isles, and the west coast of Ireland.

Published: 11th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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BLUE SKATE (Dipturus batis)

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Blue Skate Eggcase & Map

Previously known as the Common Skate, which is now known to have masked 2 species - Flapper Skate and Blue Skate.

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~21cm (ranges from 19–24cm)
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~14cm (ranges from 13-15cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~7cm (ranges from 6-8cm)

Range: In the Northeast Atlantic, it's present from Iceland and the northern North Sea around to the western British Isles and Celtic Sea. The Blue Skate generally has a more southerly distribution than the Flapper Skate. But the distribution of both species overlaps in the Celtic Sea to northwest Scotland.
 
Similar Eggcase: The much larger Flapper Skate eggcase.
 
Great Eggcase Hunt Records: Few beach records of Blue Skate eggcases have been reported to the Great Eggcase Hunt, but all have been submitted from Cornwall. Underwater records are from scientific surveys.

Published: 12th November, 2018

Updated: 14th February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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WHITE SKATE (Rostroraja alba)

Expand
White Skate Eggcase & Map

Size:
Maximum Eggcase Length: ~28cm
Eggcase Length (without horns): ~15cm (ranges from 12-19cm)
Maximum Eggcase Width (with keels): ~12.5cm (ranges from 10-14.5cm)

Range: Although the distribution of the White Skate in the Northeast Atlantic extends from the southwest coast of the British Isles to South Africa, this Critically Endangered species is now rarely encountered in British waters.
 
Similar Eggcase: The only eggcase to rival in terms of size is the Flapper Skate, which has a different colour, texture, and horn shape.
 
Great Eggcase Hunt Records: Most verified records are from southwest Ireland and from South Africa. Few other records have been verified but are scattered in distribution - including from Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland, Fair Isle, and Sicily.

Published: 13th November, 2018

Updated: 1st February, 2019

Author: Hannah Tarrant

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