A bizarre marine creature that washed ashore in Laguna Niguel on Saturday has left beachgoers baffled and sparked a viral frenzy online. While it may look like something from a horror movie, state wildlife officials believe this unsightly specimen is just a common fish—specifically, a moray eel.
The unusual sighting prompted immediate attention, with Tim Daly, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, confirming that what appears to be a moray eel is frequently found along the Southern California coast. “This one seems a bit bleached out from being deceased,” Daly noted, explaining the creature’s pale appearance.
The original poster on Reddit, who shared a photo of the eerie find, remarked, “It’s giving me nightmares.” Other commenters chimed in, likening the creature to an alien or even a plesiosaur, the legendary marine reptile that swam the oceans millions of years ago.