UK Seas
Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores
UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.
Nursehound
Scyliorhinus stellaris
Type
Sharks
Description
The nursehound, also known as the large-spotted dogfish, greater spotted dogfish, or bull huss, is a species of catshark. It has a robust body with a broad, rounded head and two dorsal fins placed far back. It has small black dots covering its back and sides, interspersed with brown spots of varying shapes. The underside is plain white.
Its egg cases, known as mermaid’s purses, can wash up on the beach - they are bigger than the similar egg cases of the small-spotted catshark.
Location
Northeast Atlantic from southern Scandinavia and the British Isles to Morocco, including the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat
Open ocean