A quirky creature has washed up on a beach, leaving some people thoroughly unnerved and convinced it’s an alien from another planet, while others had a more humorous response to the critter
A bizarre marine creature that recently washed up on a Californian beach has sparked fear and fascination among internet users.
The odd-looking sea animal was discovered last weekend by an unsuspecting walker in Dana Point, California, who took to social media to share images of the find, sparking viral interest as reported by What’s The Jam. Accompanying the post, the beach-goer penned: “Dead marine animal washed up on shore, what is this thing?” The social media user then added a string of photos to highlight the unique find.
The unsettling images show the lifeless, long-bodied pale creature, draped with seaweed, boasting a pronounced snout and sharp teeth, along with a lengthy tail but no fins. Social media responses came in fast, with the post garnering more than 1,285 likes and numerous comments. One unnerved person quipped: “I’ll see myself out,” while another said, “I hate it and I love it. Thank you for your service,” Another replied: “Horrifyingly goofy thing wtf.”
Someone else added: “Those things are so alien-looking. But as others have already said, def not an alien but rather an eel.” Discovered on the sands on Sunday, October 13, the creature is thought to be a moray eel — usually common in tropical to subtropical seas and often found in shallow waters.
Moray eels, a family of eels found globally, boast around 200 species across 15 genera. While they’re predominantly marine creatures, some are often spotted in brackish water and a handful even inhabit fresh water.
They’re quite distinctive and unusual looking, which could be why many netizens were convinced the washed-up body was that of an alien’s. Moray eels can be identified by their dorsal fin, which extends from just behind the head along the back, merging flawlessly with the caudal and anal fins.
The absence of pectoral and pelvic fins in most species only helps to enhance their snake-like look. The body is usually patterned, and in some species, even the inside of the mouth boasts patterns. Their jaws are broad, framing a protruding snout, and most have large teeth used to tear flesh or grip slippery prey.
Their eyes are quite small and it’s believed moray eels rely mostly on their highly developed sense of smell, then lay in wait to ensnare their prey. This particular California discovery led to some playing with the lyrics of the famous Dean Martin song That’s Amore. Taking the opportunity to offer a witty rewrite, one person said: “When it’s found on the beach, and it’s dead and sun-bleached, that’s a moray!” Another penned: “If it washes up dead with sharp teeth in its head, that’s a Moray.”
One amused commenter said: “When it’s white as a ghoul, in a shallow tidal pool, that’s a Moray.” And another chimed in with: “That’s a moray. Go back tonight to confirm. If the moon hits its eyes like a big pizza pie that’s a Moray,” while someone else added: “And when the eel’s maw has pharyngeal jaws, that’s a moray.”
