Nightmare-Inducing Sea Creature Washes Up on California Beach

Beachgoers in Southern California were confused and horrified after a creepy, pale snake-like creature with sharp, jagged teeth washed up onshore last weekend. Photos of the creature have since surfaced online where it captured the collective imaginations of the internet, before it was eventually identified.

"Dead marine animal washed up on shore near Dana Point, CA. What is this thing?" a Reddit user posted earlier this week, adding: "It’s giving me nightmares." The boated carcass was partially wrapped up in seaweed, with its mouth frozen in what appeared to be a ghoulish-looking grin.

Dead marine animal washed up on shore near Dana Point, CA. What is this thing?
by u/ZJM in animalid

However, as many users pointed out, the animal is actually a pretty common moray eel. "If the moon hits its eyes like a big pizza pie that’s a'moray," quipped one user. California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Tim Daly likewise confirmed as much to SFGATE, noting that the creature "looks a little bleached out from being dead."

There are approximately 200 known species of moray eel, which can reach up to nine feet in length. The explanation behind their scary-looking teeth is because moray eels have a double set of jaws that help it seize and grip onto prey.

A National Science Foundation study published in 2007 found that the jaws of the eel are equipped with "sharp, piercing teeth" that curve backwards towards its throat, preventing dinner from escaping from its mouth. The publication compared the rows of teeth to spike-strips in parking lots that prevent cars from backing out of entrance ramps.

Once the prey is secured, the second set of jaws located behind the eel's skull, known as the "pharyngeal jaws," extends to pull the prey into the animal's esophagus.

That said, despite their frightening appearance, moray eels are not typically aggressive towards humans, although they will sometimes bite if threatened or provoked. In either case, better to keep your distance.