Golden Mermaid on Ebay

[phycologia]

So, there was an auction on Ebay this month that got a bit of attention, for a "Golden Mermaid" that the lister had supposedly found washed up in Desoto Beach, FL. The creature sold for over $1,500! You can see the actual auction page here:

Comments

[lesliev]

Hiya! Just want to say: excellent work on explaining the "mermaid". I have seen it doing the email rounds as a "demon mermaid from Lesotho", so great to see the real origins and a proper explanation.

Thank you very much

[phycologia]

I'm glad you found it useful. I am actually a Marine Biologist, so when my mom sent it to me, so upset, I just had to investigate.

I see you're a bit of an entomologist yourself. What interesting insects you have in South Africa, and not a bit frightening too!