Mysterious sharp-toothed creature branded a ‘mermaid’ after washing up on Norfolk beach
Cley Beach walker intrigued by creature high on the shore
A STRANGE-looking creature with sharp teeth, a dog-like head, flippers and a furry body has been branded a “mermaid” after washing up in Norfolk.
Catherine Sabbarton-Wright was walking along Cley Beach near Salthouse when something large caught her eye, high up on the shore.
She said: “The size is initially what caught my attention. I would say it was the size of a large deer or small cow.
“At first I thought it was a deer, until I noticed the teeth – it had canines.
“The body seemed heavily decomposed, with parts of the flesh and fur remaining, but the skeleton showing through.
“I was intrigued – it's not common to come across such a large animal, even though here in Norfolk it’s common to see animals, dead or alive.”
Video courtesy Catherine Sabbarton-Wright
In Catherine’s photos, the creature has a furry body, a dog-like head, pointed teeth, and what seem to be flippers.
Looking for answers, Catherine’s sister – a vet – shared the images with a Facebook group for naturalists.
One person suggested a mermaid, while another likened it to a dinosaur.
It was even compared to the black shuck – a demonic black dog said to prowl East Anglia in local folklore.
Others were more pragmatic.
Catherine, a pastry chef, said: “I showed it to various people at work and I got a few suggestions.
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“Someone thought it was a cow from the nearby fields.
“A dog and a deer were also theories.”
The truth may be simpler.
Most guesses on Facebook suggested it was a seal.
Experts agree, but say it’s difficult to pinpoint the species.
Rob Deaville of the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme said: “This looks like a seal to me.
“But it’s not totally clear which species, grey or common, as it’s a little bit too far gone unfortunately.”
Catherine, 29, said: “I had recently been to visit the seals at Blakeney point and I've seen them many times before, happily swimming along the beach.
“I thought it may be a seal due to location but I didn't imagine it would be that size.”