SAN DIEGO — Little, transparent, blue-ish sea creatures are washing up on the shore at beaches in San Diego County. San Diego residents are taking to social media to ask the question: what are they?
Velella velella
The tiny blobs you might have seen during your walk on the beach are a species known as Velella velella. The creatures are also known as "by-the-wind sailors." According to UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the creatures float on the ocean surface and are moved across the water by the wind.
"Right now, they're all over the beach," Pauline Roche said, who is a Scuba Instructor at Beyond Land Adventures.
Erika Miller, a San Diego native said, "Nature is amazing. The more you learn, it's just breathtaking."
"You never know when they're going to show up or how many there will be, or how long they'll stick around. They're unique and it's that curiosity that makes everyone excited to see them," Anya Stajner said, who is a PhD student studying Biological Oceanography at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Are they jellyfish?
They may look like jellyfish, but they aren't in the same group as jellies. According to Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Velella velella are part of a different group called hydrozoans.
Do they sting?
Velella velella have tentacles that can sting. But Scripps says it is usually harmless to humans.
"It is very unique, because this is the first time I've seen something like this," Elbert Dooley said, who was walking in La Jolla Shores.
"They're beautiful, absolutely beautiful," Roche added.
When do they usually appear on the beach?
According to Scripps Institution of Oceanography, movement patterns of velellas are unpredictable, but they are most likely to show up on Southern California beaches during late spring and early autumn.
What happens after they show up on the shore?
Velellas will usually be pulled back into the ocean. In other cases, velellas will break down naturally and serve as food for other creatures.
Photos | Velella velella wash up on San Diego beaches
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