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44805 |
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Date: April 30, 2024 at 08:32:15
From: shadow, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Strange bloblike sea creatures washing ashore across SoCal coast |
URL: https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/environment/4632342-strange-blob-like-sea-creatures-washing-ashore-across-southern-california-coast/ |
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What are they?
Bizarre sea creatures that resemble jellyfish have
returned to Southern California waters a year after
millions were spotted between Ventura and San Diego
counties and beyond.
Velella velella, more commonly known as by-the-wind
sailors, are oval-shaped blobs that live on the ocean’s
surface, propelled by small, stiff sails that catch wind
and take them across the globe. Ocean currents and winds
move the creatures from place to place, allowing them to
catch their prey with their stinging tentacles.
Always lurking, but not always in the area, the Velella
velella are often pushed toward the California coast by
powerful spring storms.
Last year, Californians visited local beaches in droves
to catch a glimpse of the creatures both on the beach and
atop the waves. In 2014 and 2015, trillions of them
washed up along the eastern Pacific coast, according to
Cassandra Davis at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long
Beach.
By-the-wind sailors are a type of hydrozoa that feed
primarily on plankton and closely resemble the Portuguese
man o’ war, a venomous sea creature that’s a known
nuisance for surfers throughout the Pacific Ocean. Unlike
the man o’ war, Velella velella stings are considered to
be mild to humans.
While their stings might not bring you to your knees,
swimmers, surfers and other water recreationists are
urged to avoid going into a crowd of by-the-wind sailors.
Meanwhile, another sea creature is more than happy to
have the floating blobs in the area. Mola mola, commonly
known as the ocean sunfish, are big fans of Velella and
have been spotted in recent days gorging on the ocean-
current transients.
They also occasionally get eaten by sea birds and sea
turtles, but their venom and lack of meat make them an
unappetizing meal for more predators, experts say.
Jessica Rodriguez, of Davey’s Locker Whale Watching in
Newport Beach, said they’ve seen hundreds of the by-the-
wind sailors in recent days and shared images of an ocean
sunfish feasting on them.
The thousands of by-the-wind sailors that have appeared
recently in California will either be eaten by predators,
pulled back into the ocean by the tide, or die and rot
away on the surface.
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Responses:
[44806] [44807] |
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44806 |
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Date: April 30, 2024 at 13:49:14
From: Eve, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Strange bloblike sea creatures washing ashore across SoCal coast |
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I have been zapped by them in Florida before. It feels
like a quick electric like pin prickle and the sting does
not last. When I saw a few jelly like blobs here and
there washed up on the beach I realized it must be these
little creatures. Enough to keep me out of the water
though I tried a couple of times I just thought to myself
ain't worth it too uncomfortable. I watched as others went
in the water, jumped around like I did saying "ouch"
wondering what is happening and then get out of the water.
I went snorkeling in The Keys once and saw mostly their
bigger cousins the man o' war jelly fish, thankfully in
time enough to dodge them...they have a dangerous and
eerie appearance.
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Responses:
[44807] |
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44807 |
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Date: April 30, 2024 at 14:46:47
From: shadow, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Re: Strange bloblike sea creatures washing ashore across SoCal coast |
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*eep!* Sorry to hear that happened to you, Eve, and glad
the sting wasn't any more painful than it was!
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Responses:
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