A surprising find on Pass-a-Grille Beach
The area had just weathered a powerful storm, leaving the shoreline scattered with seaweed, shells, and debris. Varner, always on the lookout for interesting finds to photograph, began exploring the beach. Among the washed-up items, she spotted something that resembled a leaf — but it felt unusual in her hand.
As she turned it over and examined its texture, Varner realized it wasn’t a leaf at all. It had a leathery surface and a distinct shape, prompting her to look closer. That’s when it clicked — she was holding what’s known as a “mermaid’s purse.”
What is a mermaid’s purse?
A mermaid’s purse is not a mythical object, but rather a fascinating natural one. It’s the egg case of certain sharks, rays, and skates. These casings are typically rectangular or oval and often have tendrils that help anchor them to rocks or seaweed on the ocean floor. Inside each purse, an embryo develops safely until it’s ready to hatch.
Most of the time, when people find mermaid’s purses on the beach, they are empty — long after the baby has hatched. But Varner noticed something different about hers. It was still sealed, plump, and firm to the touch. Curious, she held it up to the sunlight to see if anything was inside.
A tiny life revealed
“As soon as we held it up to the sun, we noticed there was a little embryo in it,” Varner told The Dodo. To her amazement, she could make out the faint shape of a living creature moving inside the case.
Realizing the embryo could die if it dried out in the open air, Varner quickly placed the purse into a tide pool beneath some rocks, where it could stay moist and protected. As she continued walking along the beach, she discovered several more mermaid’s purses — six or seven in total — and gently returned each one to a safe spot in the shallow pools.
Then, as she picked up one final purse, something felt different. Unlike the others, this one was much harder, and light couldn’t pass through its surface. Varner suspected that this embryo might be much farther along in its development.
Witnessing the miracle of birth
While carrying the case toward the water, Varner felt it twitch slightly in her hand. A moment later, she saw movement inside — and then, incredibly, a small face appeared through the casing.
“All of a sudden, I look down and a little mouth is looking at me,” she said. “And it was so jarring at first because I was like, ‘What am I even looking at?’”
Before she could fully process what was happening, the baby began to emerge from its casing. Within seconds, it slid free and began to wriggle instinctively. Concerned about the rough surf, Varner carried the fragile newborn out into calmer water before letting it go.
The baby immediately sank to the sandy bottom — exactly what it was supposed to do. “It just immediately dropped to the sand, which is exactly what its instincts would be telling it to do,” Varner recalled. Watching it swim away safely filled her with relief and wonder.
The importance of beach awareness
Varner’s rare encounter serves as an important reminder to beachgoers everywhere: always look carefully before disturbing or discarding objects you find near the water. What might seem like a piece of seaweed or debris could actually be home to a developing marine life.
“There’s a lot of things on beaches that we don’t realize are alive or important,” Varner said. Her experience highlights how small acts of curiosity and care can make a real difference in protecting marine ecosystems.
A clearnose skate’s first moments
After some research, Varner identified the creature that hatched in her hand as a clearnose skate, a species commonly found in shallow waters along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Clearnose skates are known for their translucent snouts and diamond-shaped bodies. They’re related to rays and sharks, though they pose no threat to humans.
Varner kept the now-empty mermaid’s purse as a keepsake — a tangible reminder of a magical moment shared between human and sea life. “It was a really cool moment where I was like, ‘Oh my God. I think it’ll be OK,’” she said.
Her story quickly spread online, inspiring others to treat the ocean and its hidden creatures with greater respect. Sometimes, the smallest discoveries on a beach can reveal the most extraordinary wonders of nature.
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