Some internet users are terrified and fascinated by the body of a creature that washed up on a Californian beach because they believe it to be alien, while others found the find amusing.
Online users are intrigued and afraid by a weird marine creature that washed ashore on a beach in California.
According to What’s The Jam, a beachcomber in Dana Point discovered the strange-looking marine creature.
The guy who found it dead in the sand posted a number of pictures of it on social media along with the question, “Dead marine animal washed up on shore, what is this thing?”
The creature’s unique look is depicted in the accompanying photos. The frightening creature, covered in seaweed, has a long, pale body and a wide nose that is full of sharp fangs.
Its long tail belies its lack of fins, and when it was discovered, it received over 1,285 likes and numerous comments.
The critter, which was discovered on a Californian beach on Sunday, October 13, is thought to be a moray eel, which is frequently seen in shallow waters and is prevalent in tropical and subtropical seas.
Although most of the 200 species of moray eels are located in the ocean, some are also found in brackish or even fresh waters.
They are distributed throughout 15 genera.
Unconventional and unusual-looking, moray eels are distinguished by the dorsal fins that run down the back of the animal and merge into the caudal and anal fins immediately behind the skull.
The absence of pelvic and pectoral fins emphasizes the critters’ snake-like appearance.
Their bodies are often covered in patterns; some even have elaborate patterns inside their jaws.
Their large jaws, which terminate in a prominent snout, are usually fitted with large teeth meant for tearing into meat or gripping onto fugitive prey.
With a laugh, one person commented, “I will see myself out.” Another wrote, “I hate it and I love it. Thank you for your service,” while a third said: “Horrifyingly goofy thing wtf.”
Because of their small eyes, moray eels are said to rely heavily on their keen sense of smell in order to ambush and seize their meal.
The public became amused after a moray eel was found in California, prompting some astute observers to rewrite the famous Dean Martin song “That is Amore” with amusing new lyrics about the eel.
Someone commented: “When it is found on the beach, and it is dead and sun-bleached, that is a moray!”