Amazing: California sees the arrival of blue animals
Experts say that the sheer quantity of these small, jellyfish-like animals coming up on San Francisco beaches makes this event unusual. Hundreds of thousands of them are washing up.
Numerous users shared images of the little blue critters from various beaches on social media.
As Natasha Kimmel stated in an ABC 7 story, “you could look at it as a work of art, part of nature.”
“I’ve never seen so many here on this beach,” Kimmel said.
The odd-looking thing is named Velella velella and resembles a jellyfish, but it is just an inch or two longer.
Another name for the little blue blobs is By-The-Wind-Sailors.
According to Melissa Schouest of Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, “their name gives away their mode of transportation for sure; they have little sails that stick up the currents of the ocean and take them along their journey.”
Schouest thought it was cool to watch, but not very unusual.
A tourist from Davis said, “At first, I thought, wow there’s a lot of these things out here, more than I’ve ever seen,” and went on, “I guess my concern is, is this normal.”
Experts speculate that the high number of them showing up on beaches might be caused by climate change and rainy winters.
She advised against handling the colonies and against letting pets near the living things.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.
