A strange “alien-like” sea creature washed ashore on Horseshoe Bay in Port Elliott , South Australia, leaving locals astonished and creating widespread curiosity among netizens.
Vicki Evans, a beachcomber, encountered the creature while walking along the shore and captured photos that she shared on a community Facebook page.
“Over 26 years walking Horseshoe Bay – I’ve never seen anything quite like this before!” Evans wrote, describing her shock at the sight. The photo quickly caught attention, with users expressing amazement at the odd find, calling it the “freakiest thing” they’d ever seen and speculating wildly about its origins.
The creature appeared to be around three meters long, featuring translucent stalks covered in vermicelli-like tendrils and bead-like shells that dangled off the ends like seaweed.
Many commenters described it as looking almost alien or like something out of science fiction, while some wondered if it was a rare form of jellyfish or an unknown deep-sea species . One Facebook user commented, “Wow, it looks long judging by the scale of the dog,” referencing Evans’s dog, which appeared in the photo for comparison.
As per the New York Post, Marine ecologist Dr Zoe Doubleday from the University of South Australia was soon able to solve the mystery, identifying the “alien” as a large colony of goose barnacles , a species of communal crustacean.
Goose barnacles typically attach themselves to floating objects, ship hulls, and wharves.
Dr Doubleday speculated that this colony had broken off from its original anchor point, which she called the “mothership,” and drifted to shore in a rare display. She remarked that while goose barnacles are common in Australian waters, it is unusual to see such a large intact cluster.
Goose barnacles, scientifically known as ‘ Lepas anatifera ’, are a delicacy in certain parts of Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where they are known as ‘Percebes’.
They are often served at upscale restaurants and can command prices as high as $125 per pound.
Vicki Evans, a beachcomber, encountered the creature while walking along the shore and captured photos that she shared on a community Facebook page.
“Over 26 years walking Horseshoe Bay – I’ve never seen anything quite like this before!” Evans wrote, describing her shock at the sight. The photo quickly caught attention, with users expressing amazement at the odd find, calling it the “freakiest thing” they’d ever seen and speculating wildly about its origins.
The creature appeared to be around three meters long, featuring translucent stalks covered in vermicelli-like tendrils and bead-like shells that dangled off the ends like seaweed.
Many commenters described it as looking almost alien or like something out of science fiction, while some wondered if it was a rare form of jellyfish or an unknown deep-sea species . One Facebook user commented, “Wow, it looks long judging by the scale of the dog,” referencing Evans’s dog, which appeared in the photo for comparison.
As per the New York Post, Marine ecologist Dr Zoe Doubleday from the University of South Australia was soon able to solve the mystery, identifying the “alien” as a large colony of goose barnacles , a species of communal crustacean.
Goose barnacles typically attach themselves to floating objects, ship hulls, and wharves.
Dr Doubleday speculated that this colony had broken off from its original anchor point, which she called the “mothership,” and drifted to shore in a rare display. She remarked that while goose barnacles are common in Australian waters, it is unusual to see such a large intact cluster.
Goose barnacles, scientifically known as ‘ Lepas anatifera ’, are a delicacy in certain parts of Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where they are known as ‘Percebes’.
They are often served at upscale restaurants and can command prices as high as $125 per pound.
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