Mysterious sea creatures appearing on beaches
Beachgoers in Texas are being warned to stay away from strange, eyeball-shaped creatures washing up on the coastline near Corpus Christi.
The unusual clusters, nicknamed "spaghetti monsters" for their long, tentacle-like appendages, have been spotted in recent weeks.
Experts identify mysterious sea creatures as Rhizophysa
Marine biologists have identified these creatures as Rhizophysa, a colony of carnivorous organisms related to the Portuguese man of war. While Rhizophysa may look strange, their sting packs a punch similar to their cousin.
Rhizophysa are not single animals, but rather colonies of specialized individuals working together. Some parts of the colony form a gas-filled float that resembles an eyeball, complete with a black dot mimicking a pupil.
These "eyeballs" are topped with long tentacles armed with powerful neurotoxins. When prey encounters these tentacles, it gets stung, paralyzed, and drawn into the colony for digestion.
Expert warned to avoid Rhizophysa
Rhizophysa typically live in the open ocean, and their beachside appearances are uncommon. However, specific wind, wave, and current conditions in March and April can bring them closer to shore.
While the ones found near Texas are relatively small, some deep-sea Rhizophysa species can grow to an astonishing 100 feet, making them some of the longest creatures on Earth.
Jace Tunnell, a researcher at Texas A&M University, has observed a recent influx of Rhizophysa washing ashore.
He warns beachgoers to admire these creatures from afar but to avoid touching them. While their sting isn't as severe as a man o' war's, it can cause pain for up to an hour.
In 2021, a young boy was stung by a Rhizophysa while swimming near Mustang Island State Park. The sting caused moderate pain for about 20 minutes. Experts advise beachgoers to keep an eye out for these creatures and to avoid contact with them.
